We are set for GHANCYC @50, Ghana WYD – LOC assures Youth

Sir Emmanuel Taa-Amoako, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 50th Anniversary and 5th Ghana Version of the World Youth Day celebration in the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, has declared their preparedness to host youth from 19 other Archdioceses, Dioceses, and Vicariate.

Taa-Amoako stated that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a comfortable stay for visitors in Sunyani. He emphasized that his team has worked diligently to ensure smooth execution of the celebrations since its formation.

“We are eagerly awaiting your arrival. We believe you will have a pleasant stay here in Sunyani. Our diocese is ready to host you, and we encourage you to come in large numbers to experience the welcoming atmosphere of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani,” he said.

Mr. Solomon Ayeh, the Sunyani Diocesan Youth Chairman invited all youth in the country to participate in the faith-building and social capital-enhancing activities planned for the event.

“The youth should come to this edition of the World Youth Day to be part of a vibrant and faith-filled community where they can grow spiritually and socially. This is an opportunity to for the young catholic from all over Ghana and beyond to unite, share their faith, and experience a sense of belonging to the larger catholic community,” Mr. Ayeh said.

The celebration, themed “GHANCYC @ 50: Fostering the Growth of the Catholic Youth through Collaborative Ministry and Shaping Peaceful Elections,” is scheduled from Friday, August 30 to Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the Catholic University in Fiapre-Sunyani.

The program, expected to attract over 4,000 participants, is divided into two main parts. The first part, from August 30 to September 1, will see pilgrims arrive in seven deaneries within the Sunyani Catholic diocese. During this “Days in the Deaneries” phase, youth will stay with various parishes and engage in activities such as evangelization, games, and excursions.

In the second part, from September 2 to September 8, all youth will converge at the Catholic University for a week-long series of activities including mass, catechesis, Marian walk, adoration, worship and prayer, peaceful float, cultural night, and other initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful elections in 2024.

Interestingly, GHANCYC was established in 1974 in Sunyani through the efforts of Archbishop Emeritus Peter Cardinal Poreku Derry, was created by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference to coordinate youth activities across various organizations and councils within the Catholic Church in Ghana.