When members of the National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) boarded their flight to Ghana this past week, they carried with them more than their suitcases—they carried the voices of young Catholics across the United States.
Invited by Archbishop Nelson Perez, Chair of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Episcopal Advisor to NFCYM, these young leaders set out to witness how the Catholic Church in West Africa is advancing justice and human development in powerful, life-changing ways. Their journey isn’t just about what they’ll see and learn in Ghana; it’s about bringing those stories back—stories of faith, hope, and solidarity—to parish communities nationwide and to the thousands of young people gathering this November at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis.
No words can truly explain what I witnessed in Ghana. This delegation opened my eyes and my heart in ways I never imagined. I witnessed a faith so alive it overflowed with joy, a community rooted in love, and a resilience that shined with hope even in the most difficult situations.
Everywhere we went, I witnessed the beauty of the Catholic Church. The Church that loves to love, without asking for anything in return. A love that embraces everyone simply because we are all children of God. This experience has changed my life forever. The stories, the faces, the faith, and the joy of the people of Ghana will always live in me. I’m beyond grateful to NFCYM and Catholic Relief Services for making this journey possible, and for reminding me that being Catholic means not only believing, but also loving without restraint.
While in Ghana, the NYAC met with various communities in which CRS Ghana serves. This included:
Tarikom Refugee Camp
Here, the delegation had an opportunity to hear from the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization (NABOCADO), which supports over 300 Burkinabe asylum-seeker households.
Laogri Youth Farm
The council learned about the The Harnessing Agricultural Productivity and Prosperity for Youth (HAPPY) Program which empowers young people, women-led businesses, and persons with disabilities to seize opportunities in rice, soybean, tomato, and poultry value chains. This visit included tending so a soy bean farm.
Kayaport Project in Walewale
Here the council witnessed how CRS targets the most vulnerable women and youth (aged 18 to 35 years) and equips them with technical and professional/entrepreneurial skills, including hairdressing, weaving, welding, tiling, electricals, carpentry, satellite installation, bakery, events decoration, graphic design, agricultural value chains and watersheds catchment restoration related livelihoods.
St. Rocio Catholic Health Center
At the center, the council was introduced to the Decentralized Chlorine Production initiative. The council saw the equipment in action and learned about the process and impact of chlorine production.
The council also gained insights into CRS’s interventions led by the Catholic Sisters working with caregivers of young children and communities through the Strengthening the Capacity of Women Religious in Early Childhood Development projects.
Diocese of Tamale Catholic Youth Organization
Here, the council engaged with the Catholic Youth Organization at Holy Cross Parish, along with other Crusaders from the Archdiocese. They interacted with the young people to learn about the group’s mission, activities, and how they inspire and sustain the active participation of young people within the Church.
Ghana Senior High School (GHANASCO)
The council engaged with three of the 10 WASH Clubs established at the school. They also explored the role of the WASH Clubs in promoting hygiene education and behavior change, and learned how CRS is collaborating with local stakeholders to improve access to safe and sustainable WASH services across the area.
Their time together ended in a soccer match.
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The National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) is NFCYM’s initiative to model a shared leadership that empowers youth to activate their voices and gifts as members of the Church.
NYAC’s Mission is to give a voice to the faith, hope, and love of youth by building bridges and nurturing safe spaces across generations, cultures, and backgrounds. Using our unique gifts and talents we aspire to be an example of joy and unity in the image of God for the young church.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) began working in Ghana in 1958. During our 67 years in the country, we have worked to implement programs in agriculture, health, microfinance, school feeding, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peacebuilding.
This visit offers an opportunity to witness firsthand the lasting impact of CRS’s work in Ghana and the positive change it continues to inspire.
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Pastoral Juvenil Hispana Coordinator,
Diocese of Austin
Diocesan Member
"NFCYM has accompanied me in reaching out to like minded professionals to better provide service (ministry) to adolescents. NFCYM has allowed me to network and grow professionally.
'Youth as Protagonists' has been essential to Pastoral Juvenil Hispana in the Diocese of Austin."
Youth Minister, St. Christopher Church
Associate Member
"The various resources have helped me keep our program exciting and vibrant. NFCYM has provided me with shared information via webinars, workshops, conferences, outreach, and opportunities that are very informative to help make my ministry successful.
NFCYM is an open forum for me to seek material, guidance and support in keeping the youth ministry program successful."
