From September 7 to 12, the capital of Ghana will bring together thousands of young Catholics from across the region in a historic gathering convened by the bishops of RECOWA under the motto “Take Courage.” Leo XIV will join the event with a special message and his blessing.
The Church in West Africa will experience an unprecedented event in September: the first regional Youth Day, to be held in Accra (Ghana) from September 7 to 12. Convened by the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), the gathering will bring together thousands of young Catholics from the various countries of the subregion for six days of prayer, reflection, fellowship, and celebration.
The motto chosen for this first edition is “Take Courage,” and the event—baptized as “Accra 2026”—has an international character. It is the first time RECOWA has organized an event of this kind, through which the region’s episcopate aims to revitalize youth ministry.
“A powerful time of grace”
The event was announced on April 24 by Bishop Alexis Youlo Touabli, Bishop of San Pedro (Côte d’Ivoire) and President of RECOWA: “I solemnly announce the invitation of all Catholic youth from our RECOWA zone to the first West African Youth Days, Accra 2026,” he stated at the time, describing the gathering as “a powerful time of grace being offered to you. Do not miss it.”
Bishop Touabli also announced that Pope Leo XIV will join the event, “not physically this time, but through his prayers, a special message, and his blessing.” The organization is in the hands of the Ghana Episcopal Conference, the national youth ministry, and a local organizing committee that has been working on preparations for months.
Cardinal Czerny’s message: “You are not alone”
Two weeks before the start, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, sent a message of encouragement to the participants. “‘Take Courage’ is the motto, and courage is exactly what our world needs from you,” the Jesuit cardinal stated on August 21.
According to Czerny, the six days will serve to “take stock of the great difficulties we face and address the obstacles to the integral human development of every person, leaving no one behind.” He assured the young people that in Accra they will discover that “they are not alone”: “You will believe, pray, and celebrate together in a great continent alive with faith and hope. Come to Accra, bring your questions, your listening, your joy.”