She said the youth constituted a major source of energy, creativity and resources for West Africa, stressing that their contribution was essential in building peaceful and prosperous societies.

“Those who want to learn a skill must be able to pursue it; and hard work must offer a credible path to a better future.

That responsibility belongs to those of us who trust them with leadership,” the Vice-President added. 

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was addressing young men and women at a West Africa Youth Days celebration in Accra last Tuesday. 

Event

The event is a regional Catholic gathering that brought together hundreds of young people from 16 West African nations. It is a week-long programme organised by the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA), in partnership with the Ghana National Catholic Youth Council (GHANCYC), the youth wing of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference.

It focuses on peace, climate justice, spiritual renewal, and empowering Catholic youth to become active agents of hope and unity across the sub-region.
Challenges

The Vice-President said although the region was one of the youngest in the world, its youthful population faced challenges, including economic pressures, irregular migration, misinformation and the effects of climate change.

“These challenges cross borders.

They affect governments and communities alike.

And no one country can address them alone.

“The dignity we claim for ourselves cannot be denied to someone because of nationality, ethnicity, language, religion,  political opinion or social standing.

This has become even more important in the digital age.

Young people now inhabit spaces where information, anger, prejudice, and falsehood can cross borders in seconds,” the Vice-President said.

She urged the youth to use technology responsibly to connect communities, spread knowledge and create opportunities.

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang further urged them to build friendships across borders and develop a stronger understanding that the future of West Africa was a shared responsibility.
Role

The President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said the youth had a vital and leading role to play in the transformation of West Africa.

He said the abilities of young people should not be viewed as limitations but as gifts, responsibilities and missions that could contribute to the development of the sub-region.

Most Rev. Gyamfi said the West Africa Youth Days should deepen communion, strengthen faith and renew hope among young people.

He expressed the hope that the gathering would inspire a new generation of young Catholic leaders who would serve as authentic actors and agents of peace and hope throughout West Africa.

The president urged the youth to draw courage from God and remain faithful disciples and courageous missionaries of the Gospel, particularly as missionaries of peace and hope.