Archbishop Kaboré Urges Youth To Be Courageous

Archbishop Julien Kaboré, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, addressed young people in West Africa at the inaugural West African Youth Day (WAYD) held on September 11, 2026, at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra. Kaboré encouraged Catholic youth across the sub-region to remain resilient and utilize their abilities to foster peace and hope.

He reminded them that Christ is with them and not to be intimidated by challenges such as unemployment, uncertainty about the future, migration pressures, the pursuit of instant wealth, and the increasing sway of social media.

Kaboré cautioned against allowing frustrations, ethnic identities, religious beliefs, and political convictions to be exploited for divisive purposes. He urged the youth not to succumb to violence, corruption, hatred, discrimination, and superstition, as these behaviors erode human dignity and threaten peaceful coexistence. He also warned against being recruited and manipulated into violent activities, emphasizing that young people should not become tools of hatred.

The Archbishop urged the youth to embrace forgiveness, reconciliation, and active participation in the Catholic Church's mission, rather than viewing themselves as future leaders. Kaboré reminded the attendees that young people are already an integral part of the Church and must contribute to its mission in the present. He encouraged them to apply their experiences and lessons from the youth day in their communities, translating them into practical actions.

Finally, Kaboré urged the youth to embrace artificial intelligence responsibly while maintaining their freedom, conscience, and capacity for independent thought and love. He urged them to utilize AI without relinquishing their ability to think, love, and meet God.