“The YPS agenda remains a priority,” said Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare-Addo, Esq., during an introductory meeting with the National Youth, Peace and Security Technical Working Group in Accra.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, 21st October 2025, at the Ministry’s conference hall, marked an important step in strengthening collaboration between the Ministry and the Technical Working Group. The engagement became necessary following a pause in the Working Group’s activities to allow for the democratic transition that followed the December 7, 2024, general elections, which brought a new administration into office.
As part of the new government’s Reset Ghana agenda, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment was created to promote youth empowerment and engagement. In his remarks, Hon. Opare-Addo emphasized that young people hold immense potential and should be at the forefront of peacebuilding efforts. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s full commitment to advancing the YPS agenda in Ghana and pledged to collaborate with other ministries to ensure support for the Technical Working Group’s work.
The meeting provided an opportunity for members of the Technical Working Group to update the Minister on progress to date, formally introduce themselves, and seek the Ministry’s political and institutional backing for the development and launch of Ghana’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security. The Minister commended members of the Technical Working Group, development partners, civil society organizations, the National Youth Authority, and all stakeholders for their continued support and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with them.
Speaking after the engagement, Mr. Issah Toha Shamsoo, Executive Director of African Students for Interfaith Tolerance (ASFIT) and a member of the Technical Working Group, stated:
“To fully achieve the ambitions of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda, we need everyone on board. Government support is crucial in developing and implementing a National Action Plan on YPS. It is exciting and encouraging that the Minister has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Technical Working Group and the YPS agenda in Ghana.”
While young people remain key partners in building sustainable peace and security, they are often excluded from peace processes and viewed merely as beneficiaries. Despite operating under limited resources, youth-led peacebuilding organizations continue to play a key role in building peace and supporting community development.
Pictures credit: Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment
