When thousands of young Catholics from across West Africa travelled to Accra for the West African Youth Days (WAYD), Fr Othmar Aunger Aklah made the journey in a way that was impossible to miss.
The Ghanaian priest rode his motorbike about 405km from Donkorkrom in the Afram Plains area to Accra, arriving at Achimota School after a journey that took him one day.
For Fr Aklah, the ride was more than simply getting to the venue. It was an opportunity to combine his missionary work, his passion for motorbikes and his desire to encourage Catholic bikers to become more involved in the life of the Church.
“The motorbike is what I use for mission and many travels. On such a historic event, if I should come with my mission aider it will give a different perspective and insight to the youth, especially those who are not aware, how some mission agents live and work. And truly some attested to that,” he told Catholic Trends.
He also wanted to represent the biking community at an event that brought together young people from different backgrounds and cultures.
“Also, the WAYD brought youths from all walks of life and different cultures. Bike life is a culture. And as I biker, I wanted to represent that culture at the event to let Catholic bikers know that we can ride to our own events and participate, not only social and sporting events. We can mobilise ourselves as Catholic bikers and get involved in Church events, do something for the church.”
Fr Aklah also noted that the motorbike was also a practical choice for the long journey.
“Lastly, considering the journey, the motorbike was convenient for me. When we got to Ekye Amanfrom and the ferry landed, I got the chance to onboard the ferry while the bus that carried the other delegates had to queue and waited for the next trip. This made me arrive at the event on time. I had the comfort to make few stops at my own discretion.”
A 405km journey in one day
Fr Aklah left home at 6:30 a.m. and reached Achimota School at about 5:00 p.m.
“It was a really long one but very cool. It took me just a day. I left home at 6:30am and by 5:00pm I was at Achimota School. Mind you I had to wait for the ferry for about 2 hours. I spent another 2 hours in the saloon, some time at Cathedral for office duty, and other few stops.”
“What made the journey even more longer was the fact that I am at the last point, up north of the diocese. The Volta Lake separates the parish rectory from Ho diocese. So I moved right up north of the diocese through to the south and crossed the river Afram into Koforidua diocese and continued to Accra.”
He explained that there was another possible route, but the timing of the boat made it less convenient.
“I should have crossed the Volta lake and gone through Kpando – Peki – Juapong – Kpong – Afianya. But the boat doesn’t set off early. As late as 11:30am sometimes.”
“But the main point was that I wanted to meet up with the whole delegation and see ourselves before we finally departed,” he said.
The journey had its share of difficulties.
“There wasn’t any serious challenge, however, the engine went off in the middle of nowhere, it was an electric fault. But thanks to God I tried with the little skills I had and it worked. Secondly, I was beaten by rain at some point. These two have been my everyday challenges as a biker but I’m used to it.”
The arrival in Accra was an emotional experience for the priest, who had been actively promoting WAYD on social media.
“The feeling, I cannot describe. Those who follow me on social media knew how much promotion and noise I made about WAYD. I was all out for it because it was going to be my first time participating in such events, either Ghana version or West Africa version or World Youth Day itself.”
“When I got to Accra I stopped three times looking for Ghana flag to buy. I packed somewhere and was moving in traffic asking for Ghana flag. I finally got some and mounted one on my bike.”
Then came the sight of the event grounds.
“I entered Achimota School and saw buses, flags, groups of people, omg, I was wowed.”
He recalled meeting a group from Nigeria celebrating along the street. “I met a group from Nigeria and they were on the street jamming to their sound and I joined them by horning in harmony with the sound.”
“When I finally arrived at the event grounds, goosebumps were all over me. And the fact that all eyes were fixed on me. Some thought I was a Police Officer because of the riding gears I wore.”
“But I was in clerical also so they were confused.” Fr Aklah was also recognised by people he already knew and by some of his social media followers.
“Immediately I saw and met many people I knew already and some of my followers on social media recognised and approached me. The set ups, the turn out, the ‘chitchat’, the fraternity, the anticipation was just marvellous.”
Beyond the excitement, however, he said his strongest feeling was gratitude.
“I was filled, above all, with gratitude to God for journey mercies and protection because it’s not easy on our roads. By his grace there was no slightest chance of casualty. I was very grateful to him for and bringing me to witness and participate in the WAYD.”
“And the joy in me could not hide, it was visibly expressed in the singing and dancing and praise and adoration.”
His message to young Catholics
The West African Youth Days were held under the theme, “Take Courage: Catholic Youth as Actors and Agents of Peace and Hope in West Africa.”
For Fr Aklah, the message of courage, hope and trust in God is particularly important for young Catholics navigating the uncertainties of life.
“Hope in the Lord. Commit your ways to him. Serve him in sincerity with all your heart. And seek his will to be done in your life.”
“With the turn of events these days in life, you can only seek refuge and solace in God’s will. That is where you will find true peace. The world cannot be fair to us always. And our strength is limited. But God is supreme over all. Never let a day pass without seeking the will of God.”
He pointed to Proverbs 19:21: “The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.” “So the theme for the WAYD is very apt in our world today,” he said.
His message to young people is ultimately one of perseverance.
“Take courage, in joy, strength, happiness, pain, sorrow, storm, doubt… don’t give up, don’t lose guard. Hold firm! Hold on to God. Pray!” Reflecting on the WAYD theme, he also challenged young people to embody the hope they are called to share with others.
“You cannot give what you don’t have. Have hope yourself. Be hopeful. As an actor, you’re supposed to live it, play it out, make it real. So count on God in all things. Then you can communicate it to the world around you.”
“Only by this will they find joy and true sense of purpose in life, and the Lord’s direction for them in their vocations. May the peace of the Lord be with us all,” he said.
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