The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has emphasized the need for greater inclusion of young people in Ghana's peace and security processes. Dr. Edward Ampratwum, Programme Specialist and Head of Governance Cluster at UNDP, made this call at the launch of the Ghana Civil Society Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security. He stressed that sustainable development cannot thrive without peace, and peace cannot be sustained when young people are excluded from the process.
Dr. Ampratwum urged stakeholders to protect civic space for youth peace builders, institutionalize partnerships among civil society, government, and development partners, and move from commitments to implementation. He also highlighted UNDP's commitment to supporting the National Peace Council, local peace committees, and the National Youth Authority to strengthen youth participation and resilience in Ghana.
The National Coordinator of the Ghana Civil Society Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security, Issah Toha Samsoo, also called for greater recognition of young people as actors and leaders in the country's peace and security efforts. He noted that young people are already contributing to peacebuilding but remain underrepresented, and their initiatives are often under-resourced.
Mr. Samsoo emphasized the critical role civil society organizations play in creating spaces for meaningful youth participation and investing in their leadership. He stressed the need to move beyond simply discussing youth issues and instead work with young people by giving them opportunities to influence decisions on Ghana's peace, security, and democratic development.
Germany's Deputy Head of Development Cooperation, Daniel Bohme, urged the government to ensure that young people are not only provided with education, training, and jobs but are also given opportunities to participate in shaping the country's future. He noted that meaningful youth participation is essential to Ghana's development and peacebuilding efforts.
Mr. Bohme also highlighted the nearing completion of Ghana's National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security and stressed the need for strong partnerships to ensure effective implementation. He noted that the new coalition, bringing together over 30 youth-led and youth-based civil society organizations, could strengthen coordination, knowledge-sharing, and collective advocacy.
The European Union's Project Manager for Governance and Security, Mohammed Musah, called for stronger coordination among youth organizations, civil society, and government to advance Ghana's peace and security agenda. He emphasized that meaningful participation of young people and civil society, community oversight, and accountable institutions are essential to sustainable peace and security programming.
Key points
- UNDP calls for greater inclusion of youth in Ghana's peace and security processes
- Civil society organizations urged to create spaces for meaningful youth participation
- Strong partnerships needed to ensure effective implementation of Ghana's National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security
