Chairman of the Accra Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Council (AADCYC), Mr. Augustine Dagbey has said the 2025 Accra Archdiocesan version of the World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations will seek to inspire young people to express their faith more boldly.
Speaking at the launch of this year-long preparation at the Accra Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Formation Centre in Lashibi on November 24, Mr. Augustine Dagbey shared his vision for the event and its significance.
“Through prayer, worship, music, evangelization, fellowship, and practical mentorship, the 2025 WYD seek to continue inspiring us to live our faith boldly and become active witnesses of the Gospel in our communities. Let us embrace our roles and motivate others to carry the message of hope, love, and service to the world,” he said.
Reflecting on the Feast of Christ the King, which marked the culmination of the Archdiocese’s Youth Week celebrations, Mr. Dagbey reminded young people in the Archdiocese of the ongoing journey of faith they are undertaking as they prepare for the 2025 WYD.
“As we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King,” he said, “we are presented with yet another opportunity to mark the continuous reign of Christ’s power in all aspects of our youthful lives, embracing hope as a banner to conquer all challenges.”
He urged the youth to remain steadfast in their faith and to allow Christ’s presence to guide them through the preparation period leading up to the event.
Themed “You also are my witnesses, because you have been with me” (John 15:27), the 2025 Accra WYD will invite young Catholics to be active participants in Christ’s mission. Mr. Dagbey emphasized the importance of living out the message of this theme.
“As young Catholics, Jesus calls us to be His witnesses not as spectators but as active participants in His mission,” he stated. “We are chosen to share His love and truth with others, and our lives must reflect this through diligence, compassion, and service in our daily interactions.”
The 2025 Accra WYD will build on the success of previous events, including the 2017 local WYD held in Dodowa, and will align with the mission of the international WYD, which was initiated by Pope St. John Paul II in 1985 to engage young people in faith and community. “The world needs witnesses like us—those who will courageously stand for truth, justice, and love,” Mr. Dagbey stressed.
This local WYD will also coincide with the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025, during which the Youth Jubilee will be celebrated from July 28 to the end of August.
The World Youth Day initiative, which saw the global celebration held in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023, has become a hallmark event for youth in the Catholic Church, promoting a strong sense of community and shared faith.
For the Archdiocese of Accra, the 2025 celebration promises to be a powerful occasion for spiritual renewal, vocations promotion, and deepened commitment to living the Catholic faith boldly.
The celebration is expected to take place in Kordiabe under the Ashaiman Deanery from November 21-22, 2025.
