What is the West Africa Youth Days and which nations are involved?

 

ACCRA 2026: Logo of the West African Youth Days 

Church

• Africa
• young people
• faith
• Ghana
• Ivory Coast
• Mali
• Guinea
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Liberia
• Nigeria
• Niger
• Togo
• Burkina Faso
• Benin

West African Youth Days: Five days to foster peace and hope

The 2026 West African Youth Days (JOAJ) open on September 7, in Accra, Ghana. Over the following four days, young Catholics from 16 West African countries will come together around the theme: “Take courage: young Catholics, agents and promoters of peace and hope in West Africa.”

By Moriba Camara, S.J.

The 2026 West African Youth Days (JOAJ) open this Monday, September 7, in Accra, Ghana. Over the following four days, young Catholics from 16 West African countries will join together around the theme: “Take courage: young Catholics, actors and agents of peace and hope in West Africa.”

The first day is dedicated to welcoming the delegations and discovering Ghanaian culture. It will conclude with a welcome ceremony, followed by Eucharistic adoration with the Rosary and meditation.

On Tuesday, September 8, the young people will explore the topics of faith and culture, guided by the theme: “Rooted in faith, courageous in witness.” After the opening Mass, attention will turn to the subject of “Digital evangelization: Faith in the news feed – Using social media for mission” during a workshop. A cultural evening will then give the various delegations an opportunity to share the music, dances and artistic expressions of their respective countries.

Young people, agents of peace

The third day, Wednesday, September 9, will focus on leadership and social engagement under the theme “Strengthened for mission.” Catecheses with the bishops and the day's workshops will address, among other topics, the role of young people in “social change in West Africa,” climate justice, peacebuilding, and the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and conflicts in the African subregion.

On Thursday, September 10, participants will spend a day focused on pilgrimage and solidarity under the theme, “Walking together in faith and service.” They will learn more about missionary vocations and take part in a Marian day at a parish in Accra, including a catechesis on Mary, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Mary will be presented as “Queen of Peace and a model disciple for young people.”

On Friday, September 11, the young people will be sent forth on mission under the theme “Go and help hope grow.” A catechesis with the bishops will prepare them to become “actors and agents of peace,” before the solemn closing Mass presided over by Archbishop Julien Kaboré, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana.

Finally, on the morning of Saturday, September 12, the young people will return to their respective countries, carrying with them a mission of peace, hope and reconciliation.

Pope Leo XIV gathers with Catholic & Muslim representatives from Senegal

 

Pope Leo XIV receives representatives of Muslim communities of Senegal  (@VATICAN MEDIA)

Pope

• Pope Leo XIV
• interreligious dialogue
• Senegal
• Africa
• islam
• human rights
• Human Fraternity

Pope: Never instrumentalize God for military, economic, or political gain

Addressing representatives of Muslim communities of Senegal, Pope Leo XIV called for religions to work together toward peace and warned against instrumentalizing God for military, economic, or political gain.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"We together assume our common responsibility: to condemn every form of discrimination and persecution founded on race, religion, or origin; to reject every instrumentalization of the name of God for military, economic, or political gain; to raise our voice in favor of every minority that suffers."

Pope Leo XIV made this statement during his encounter with representatives of Muslim communities of Senegal, alongside representatives of the Catholic Church in the country.

Safeguard your fraternity and peaceful coexistence

The Holy Father began his remarks by calling the meeting a significant expression of friendship and of a common commitment to promoting an inclusive, peaceful, and fraternal society.

He also recalled that Senegal embodies hospitality and solidarity and demonstrates and serves as a model of peaceful coexistence among Christians, Muslims, and believers of other traditions. It is a reality, he said, that constitutes the foundation of dialogue among peoples who are different because of their religious affiliation and ethnic origin.

"This treasure of fraternity must be safeguarded with care," he said, noting it is "a precious good not only for your nation, but also for the whole of humanity."

Threats to peace in Africa

However, Pope Leo went on to lament challenges in Africa.

"Unfortunately," he said, "armed conflicts persist on the African continent, generating grave humanitarian shortages and profound inequalities that every day put entire populations to the test, without forgetting the disturbing increase in violent extremism."

Added to this, he noted, are "growing flows of migrants and refugees, hateful speech that poisons the social fabric, the weakening of the family bond, and the erosion of ethical and spiritual reference points, particularly among the young."

In this context, he said, the values embodied by the spirit of “teranga” and interreligious dialogue are "a precious instrument" for easing tensions and building lasting peace.

"By fostering interreligious dialogue and involving religious leaders in mediation and reconciliation initiatives," Pope Leo said, "politics and diplomacy can make use of moral forces capable of calming tensions, preventing radicalizations, and promoting a culture of esteem and mutual respect."

Need for diplomacy and religious dialogue founded on truth and peace

Today, Pope Leo said, the world needs diplomacy and religious dialogue founded on peace, justice, and truth.

"Together, we, Christians and Muslims," he said, "believe that every human being is shaped by the hands of God, and therefore clothed with a dignity that no law nor any human power has the right to confiscate."

The Pope therefore noted that upon this foundation of fraternity, and with faith and humanity at its roots, religions must together reject the instrumentalization of God’s name, especially for military, economic, and political gains; condemn persecution and discrimination; and protect suffering minorities.

"As I said in Bamenda in Cameroon," Pope Leo recalled, "'woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.'"

Working together for the good of humanity

The Holy Father expressed his prayer that God, the Almighty, may cause the desire to understand one another better, to listen to one another, and to live together in respect and fraternity to be reborn. "May He grant you the courage to follow the path of dialogue, to respond to conflicts with gestures of fraternity, and to open your heart to others, without fearing differences."

Finally, the Holy Father prayed that their commitment in favor of peace, justice, and fraternity may bear abundant fruits, leading to ever-deeper collaboration among the different parties for the good of humanity.