Ahead of the maiden Ghana National Youth Conference on Peace and Security, Youth
Advocates Ghana (YAG) has held a stakeholder engagement meeting at the UNDP Ghana country office.

This gathering brought together key stakeholders to strategize and lay the groundwork for the conference, scheduled for October 23 to 25, 2024.

Emmanuel Ametepey, Executive Director of Youth Advocates Ghana, inaugurated the
session by highlighting the essential role of young people in sustaining peace and security, particularly in the context of the forthcoming general elections.

"Incorporating youth voices is not just beneficial; it's imperative for the development of a national action plan that truly reflects the aspirations and potential of our young population in peacebuilding," Ametepey stated.

The conference aims to empower Ghanaian youth to become peace advocates and foster a collaborative ethos essential for resolutions.

Dr. Edward Ampratwum, Governance Lead at the United Nations Development Programme in Ghana, underscored the significance of gender inclusivity in peace initiatives, especially in the Northern Region of Ghana.

"Our vision extends to transforming women from mere beneficiaries to leaders in these critical conversations," Dr. Ampratwum remarked, aligning with UN Resolution 1325, which advocates for increased female involvement in peace processes.

Archibald Donkoh Jr., Director of Programs at the National Youth Authority (NYA), emphasized the conference's role as a vital platform for youth engagement.

"The NYA is fully committed to ensuring substantial youth participation, aligning with Ghana’s National Action Plan on Youth Peace and Security," he added.

The UNFPA representative emphasized the significant role of Ghana's adolescent and youth demographic in peacebuilding and reiterated the organization's commitment to supporting youth groups like Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG) to foster safe, violence-free environments where young people can prosper.

“Our engagement in this conference is a clear reflection of UNFPA’s commitment to empowering the youth of Ghana,” Dzigbordi Akosua Agbenyo asserted.

On behalf of Adjoa Yenyi, UNFPA Ghana's Adolescent and Youth Development
Programme Specialist, Ms. Dzigbordi, affirmed the need to integrate holistic, youth-centric approaches into national security policies to deepen the impact on sustainable peace initiatives.

The meeting also addressed the issue of inclusion and emphasized the integration of diverse groups into the peace and security dialogue, including persons with disabilities and adolescents.

Stakeholders discussed the broader implications of migration driven by conflict
and the pursuit of stability through improved governance, tying these efforts back to the UN Agenda 2030’s goals of people, prosperity, planet, partnership, and peace.

This consultation has set the stage for a landmark conference that aspires to shape a more peaceful and secure future for Ghana, driven by the united efforts of all stakeholders involved and led by the youth.

In his remarks, Executive Director of Youth Advocates Ghana, Emmanuel Ametepey, also urged like-minded stakeholders dedicated to fostering a resilient future for the youth of Ghana to join forces with Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG) in advocating for peace before, during, and after the forthcoming general elections.