National Youth Peace and Security Group Kicks Off Strategic Planning in Koforidua

A 26-member technical working group on youth peace and security has commenced efforts in Koforidua, the capital of the Eastern Region, to formulate a comprehensive action plan addressing youth involvement in peace and security. This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering young people to play active roles in conflict prevention and peacebuilding across the nation.

The deliberation which is in a form of a five-day seminar which started on September 5,  is being attended by representatives of relevant government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, political parties, religious organisations and youth organisations.

The event is being supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Kofi Annan Peace -Keeping Training Center, (KAIPTC), German Agency for International Co-operation  (GIZ) and the National Peace Council (NPC).

It is being co-chaired by the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Center (KAIPTC) and the National Youth Authority (NYA).

Addressing the participants in his welcome address , the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Nelson Owusu Ansah said although Ghana had long been recognised as a beacon of democracy and stability, it had however like many countries been facing challenges that threatened the country's peace and security particularly in certain regions.

Such challenges,  he indicated often had profound impacts on the youth, thus making it essential to address their specific needs and concerns.

That, Mr Owusu Ansah stated was in alignment with the United Nations Security Council Revolution 2250 on youth, peace and security which underscored the importance of involving young people in decision-making processes.

He said the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports had therefore taken bold steps to ensure that the youth would not only be participants but also leaders in peace building initiatives that had further been bolstered by subsequent resolutions such as Resolution 2419.

The Deputy NYA CEO explained that Revolution 2419 emphasised the need for youth involvement in sustaining peace, adding that such global frameworks had inspired the creation of Ghana's own action plan that would serve as a road map for integrity youth perspectives into the the national peace and security agenda.

Mr Ansah who dilated on various aspects of sustaining peace in the country, reminded Ghanaians that peace is not just the absence of conflict but also the presence of justice, equality and opportunities for all.

For her part, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Naana Eyiah Quansah said  youth peace security was launched onto the international scene with the adoption by the United Nations Security Council in 2015 (Resolution 2250) that acknowledged the importance and positive contributions of young people in the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security.

She added that in 2018 and 2020, the Security Council adopted two additional resolutions on youth, peace and security-- Resolution 2419 and Resolution 2535 respectively which expanded the agenda provided a solid ground for their operations.

Madam Eyiah said in the Ghanaian context, peace and security were twin factors that should be managed well to ensure sustainable development and that peace was not only important to countries which had had conflicts.

Besides that, she pointed out that peace was as well as personal and political and that it was a long-term process of social change that required the engagement of every United Nations entity, mostly those present, before, during and after the conflicts.

She however pointed out that the terrible outcome of the breach or infringement of the country's peace raised serious security concerns hence the urgent need for a very comprehensive and strategic plan to manage the country's peace and security.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani in a thoughtful address emphasized the critical role of institutions in fostering a peaceful society. He urged the participants and stakeholders to remain focused on the overarching goal of securing peace, particularly in light of the youth's vital involvement in national development.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Abani encouraged the youth to recognize that they are not only the future but the present agents of change. And  went on to rally the participants, calling on them to pledge their dedication to ensuring a peaceful election in December 2024. The entire room stood together in a powerful moment of solidarity, affirming their