International participants have also been advised to avoid travelling individually outside the venue and to move in groups, with organizers and volunteers informed whenever such movements are necessary.
Five days of faith, culture and fellowship
The gathering will officially begin on Monday, September 7, with participant arrivals and a welcome session in the evening, followed by the opening Mass on Tuesday, September 8.
The opening ceremony will include the participation of Bishops, invited guests and members of the diplomatic corps, alongside cultural performances by Ghanaian Catholic youth.
The first day of the main program will also feature talks and workshops, followed by a cultural night in which participating countries will showcase aspects of their cultures.
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The program will continue with catechesis in English and French, a chorale night and a vocational drive featuring about 32–35 religious congregations. The organizers have allocated about one hour for catechesis sessions, with Bishops, Priests and other facilitators expected to lead the discussions.
One of the Masses will be celebrated entirely in French, with French-speaking Catholics preparing the choir and liturgical arrangements.
Youth to visit parishes across Accra
A major component of the gathering will be a parish experience that will see participants visit about 40 selected parishes in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra.
The parish visits will take place on Thursday, September 10, and will include both international and Ghanaian participants. The parishes will organize volunteers and translators to accompany the young people and may also take them to selected places of interest within their communities.
Some parishes in Tema are also preparing to host delegations from countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, including visits to the Tema Harbour.
While the original plan was for each parish to host 100 participants, Woode said the current expectation is that parishes will receive about 85–90 participants, depending on final numbers.
He urged parish youth coordinators to prioritize the safety of participants during the visits, noting that organizers have engaged the police to support security arrangements.
Closing procession and Mass
The gathering will conclude with a procession and closing Mass. Participants are expected to assemble at Obra Spot at 2 p.m. before proceeding in a procession to the cathedral for Mass at 4 p.m.
Woode described the procession as an opportunity for young Catholics to publicly witness to their faith and promote peace and hope.
“This is a big avenue for us to showcase to the entire world that Christ is alive. We are youth. We are ambassadors of peace and hope,” he said.
Rather than using placards, participants will distribute prayer cards during the procession. They will also be encouraged to wear attire representing their countries or dioceses, while customized shirts will be provided for the opening ceremony.
What participants should expect
Participants will receive a package containing a T-shirt, backpack, water bottle and rosary, while 12,000 crosses donated by a Priest in the United States will also be distributed.
The organizers have also made provisions for dietary requirements, with participants’ allergies communicated to the caterer and adjustments made to the menu where necessary.
Woode encouraged participants to carry personal medication and relevant health information, while international delegates should travel with their passports and international health insurance. Ghanaian participants are expected to have national health insurance.
He also advised participants to carry comfortable shoes, decent clothing, personal belongings, pillows and power-extension boards, noting that accommodation will have a dormitory-style arrangement.
Appeal for patience and support
Woode appealed to participants to approach the event with patience and a spirit of fellowship, acknowledging that some arrangements may change once the event begins.
“This is the first time, and this hasn’t been held in West Africa before,” he said, urging participants to come “in the spirit of Catholic youth” and embrace courage, hope and peace.
A help desk will be available throughout the gathering to address participants’ concerns and complaints.
Woode also appealed to sponsors and donors to honour their financial commitments to support the event, saying the organizers were still working to meet their financial obligations as the gathering approaches.
Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.
