COSRA, as an organisation, was formed in September 1969 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka and nurtured into formal existence as a recognised youth group on January 31, 1970.
The idea of forming the organisation was conceived by Mr. Jonathan Thomas Ayikai Ankrah (now Rev. Monsignor) together with Messrs Peter Plange, Dominic Kwesi Ofei, W. J. K. Quashie, Joseph Attivie, John Gbolonyo and Joseph Agbesi, who were all catechumens under the tutelage of Rev. Bro. Marcus Hipolito (SVD). The Honourable Aaron Ofori-Atta, the then Speaker of the National Assembly of the First Republic was the first patron. Mr. J. T. A. Ankrah, however, left for further studies at St. Peter’s Major Seminary, Pedu and Mr. W. J. K. Quashie assumed leadership of the local COSRA. He was succeeded by Mr. Theodore Agbam.
The formation of this organisation was very timely as it filled a very important gap in the growth process of the church. The group appealed to students and graduates from various levels of education, apprentices, unemployed and workers who could not identify with existing youth groups and found the adult groups somewhat intimidating.
COSRA, therefore, combines the dynamism of youthfulness and the maturity of adulthood in its fold. Members are 18 years and above. With the establishment of COSRA, the situation where young Catholics came to church and left immediately after mass to repeat this process the next Sunday or any day of obligation due to the non-existence of challenging and effective youth fora, has been effectively mitigated to a large extent.
Many young Catholics now have a sense not only of belonging, but more importantly, a sense of mission with their association with COSRA.
The fire that was lit at the Holy Spirit Cathedral quickly spread to parishes in Accra, Akim Oda, Tema, Akwatia, Koforidua, Kade, Asesewa, Nkawkaw and Somanya. At the moment, COSRA is firmly established along the length and breadth of the country.
The First Congress
The first congress (Diocesan) was held at the St. Mary’s Secondary School, Korle-Bu, Accra in August 1977 and was addressed by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dominic K Andoh, then Bishop of Accra, Rev. Fr. J. T. A. Ankrah (now Rev. Monsignor), Rev. Fr. G. C. Palmer-Buckle (now Arch Bishop of Cape Coast) and Mr. Sarpong Kumankumah, who was a patron. It was at this congress that Mr. Emmanuel Vorgbe was elected as the first Diocesan COSRA President.
CONSOLIDATION AND EXPANSION ERA
After the 3rd (1988 to 1990) and the 4th (1990 to 1992) Diocesan Congresses under the leadership of Mr. Evans Y Aryee-Quaye, COSRA expanded rapidly in Accra Diocese. The 5th (1992) and the 6th (1994) congresses held under the leadership of Mr. Richard Akpokavie, were given the National dimension with the admission of Tamale and Kumasi branches. The Accra Diocese was formally split into the Accra Archdiocese and the Koforidua Diocese respectively.
After the 7th Biennial National Congress held at Kumasi from 8th to 11th August, 1996, Navrongo-Bolgatanga and Sekondi-Takoradi Dioceses were accepted into the COSRA fold when they were launched in January 1997. The story continues until COSRA is was firmly established as the heartbeat of the youth in all dioceses of the Catholic Church in Ghana.
TRANSITION INTO NATIONAL CATHOLIC LAITY COUNCIL (NCLC)
Under the leadership of Madam Mavis Agatha Abla Ekpe, COSRA transited from the Ghana National Catholic Youth Council (GHANCYC) to the National Catholic Laity council (NCLC). This became necessary when the Ghana Catholics Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) declared that leadership in GHANCYC should be for only young persons below 30 years of age, popularly referred to as the Age Policy of Youth Leaders.
An analysis of COSRA database at the time (2018) showed that ninety-eight percent (98%) of COSRA members were above 30 years. This resulted in COSRA’s unanimous decision to join the NCLC.
In pursuant to a letter dated 14th November 2019 from COSRA to the Ghana Catholics Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) through the National Youth Chaplain (Rev. Fr. James Bour Mensah) on the Age Policy for Youth Leaders, and the decision of COSRA to come directly under the National Catholic Laity council (NCLC), the Bishop’s plenary meeting held in Keta-Akatsi diocese in November 2020 subsequently agreed to COSRA’s decision to move from GHANCYC to NCLC with immediate effect.
Under the leadership of Dr. Stephen Nabareseh, the National Delegates Congress held at the S.D Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) – WA from August 10th -13th, 2023 formally amended the statutes (Constitution) and structure of the group as a full lay organization.