The Deputy Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Air Commodore David Akrong, has emphasized the importance of developing Ghana’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS). He stated that this initiative is essential for empowering young people and ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes at all levels.
Speaking at a Dissemination Workshop held in collaboration with the National Youth Authority (NYA), Air Commodore Akrong represented the Commandant and Executive Management of KAIPTC. He highlighted the critical role that young people play in both national stability and the broader peace and security landscape across Africa.
“We gather here today at a pivotal moment. As you know, the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda is central not only to the stability and development of Ghana but also to the broader peace and security dynamics across Africa. Young people are not merely beneficiaries of peace; they are agents of change, drivers of innovation, and active participants in peacebuilding processes. The development of the NAP is a critical mechanism to harness this potential, providing a framework that empowers youth, promotes inclusivity, and ensures their involvement in decision-making at every level,” Air Commodore David Akrong said.
He further called on stakeholders to adhere to the principles of inclusivity, collaboration, and commitment, stressing that the NAP should be seen not just as a document but as a roadmap for action—a blueprint for sustainable peace and a collective responsibility to support and empower the youth.
The workshop, hosted at KAIPTC, followed an inaugural retreat by the Technical Working Group on Youth, Peace, and Security held in Koforidua in September. It aimed to inform stakeholders and raise awareness of the NAP development process. The NAP is part of Ghana’s commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, which underscores the need for meaningful youth engagement in peace and security initiatives.
The NAP is expected to empower the youth as key contributors to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and creating a resilient future for Ghana.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Nelson Owusu-Ansah, shared his hopes for the NAP’s potential to address pressing issues such as unemployment, social exclusion, and limited access to education—factors that significantly threaten peace and security. He assured that the NYA is committed to the NAP and will continue collaborating with stakeholders.
Programme Specialist for Adolescent and Youth Development at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms. Adjoa Nyanteng Yenyi, stressed the need for a participatory approach in the NAP YPS development. She explained that although the roadmap is not the final output, it provides a foundation for an inclusive process moving forward.
“The upcoming phases of consultations, data gathering, and stakeholder engagement will ensure that the voices of youth from all corners of Ghana are incorporated, reflecting the diverse realities of the country’s youth population,” Ms. Yenyi emphasized.
She added that the roadmap marks the beginning of a transformative process for integrating young people into the peace and security agenda in Ghana.
“UNFPA remains fully committed to supporting the government and its partners in facilitating an open and transparent process… Let us all work together to ensure that this process is inclusive, reflective of young people’s aspirations, and results in a National Action Plan that empowers youth to take the lead in building lasting peace and security,” Ms. Yenyi added.
Ms. Teresa Kraft, Head of Component for GIZ’s ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) project, highlighted the significance of inclusivity and accountability in developing the NAP YPS. She praised Ghana’s efforts to integrate young people into decision-making within the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda.
“GIZ is committed to continuing its collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission and its partners in the next phase of the project, with support from the German Government and the European Union. The Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda is ambitious, requiring a reassessment of how societies are structured, organizations are managed, and mindsets are shifted to embrace youth in leadership roles,” Ms. Kraft remarked.
The NAP development process has received substantial support from the German Government through the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) project, as well as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), reflecting the commitment of international partners to promoting youth-led peace initiatives.
