Today marks 1st January, 2026. A new year is here, bringing renewed hope, possibilities, and commitments. As we step into 2026, we take a moment to look back at 2025, a year defined by action, learning, partnerships, and the unwavering belief that young people and communities are at the heart of building sustainable peace. Throughout the year, we worked alongside communities, young people, institutions, and partners to strengthen social cohesion, empower youth, and advance the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda at all levels.
Below are some key highlights from our 2025 journey:
Strengthening Social Cohesion and Public Trust
At the heart of peaceful and resilient societies is trust, particularly between service providers and the communities they serve. In June 2025, ASFIT convened a Town Hall Meeting in Nalerigu under the Bridging the Gap Project, bringing together community members, service providers, and local leaders. The dialogue focused on enhancing the engagement of diverse groups, particularly minorities, in decision-making processes, improving access to public services, and strengthening public trust as a foundation for social cohesion. The town hall created a safe space for open dialogue, mutual understanding, and collective problem-solving.
More details on this engagement can be found here: https://asfitnetwork.org/asfit-convenes-a-town-hall-meeting-in-nalerigu-under-bridging-the-gap-project/
Youth, Peace and Security in Ghana:
- Introductory Meeting with the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment: ASFIT, as a member of Ghana’s Technical Working Group on Youth, Peace and Security, participated in an introductory meeting with Hon. George Opare-Addo, Esq., aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Ministry and the Technical Working Group.
- Rebranding of the Network for 2250 in Ghana: together with other partners, ASFIT, as a host of the network, rebranded into the Ghana Civil Society Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security to better coordinate and engage with members to advance the youth, peace and security in Ghana.
Empowering Livelihoods and Building Community Resilience
Economic vulnerability often exacerbates insecurity. To address this, ASFIT trained 50 participants in livelihood skills focused on livestock production, alongside financial management and marketing skills. The training enhanced participants’ knowledge of improved livestock practices in goat, sheep, and poultry rearing, including feeding, housing, breeding, and disease control. Participants were also equipped with basic record-keeping and business management skills, supporting sustainable livelihoods and resilience-building among vulnerable households.
Investing in Youth Leadership through Sport and Education
One of the major milestones of 2025 was the successful completion of the Football for Peace Ghana Youth Program, where 100 young peacebuilders from five communities (Wulugu, Nabari, Walewale, Tinguri, and Kukua) in the West Mamprusi Municipality completed a structured program integrating pitch-based learning with educational workshops. Through partnerships with Football for Peace, CDD-Ghana, and GCERF, the program strengthened youth leadership, social cohesion, teamwork, non-violence, and community resilience, demonstrating the powerful role of sport as a tool for peacebuilding.
Interfaith Dialogue
- In 2025, ASFIT marked the 4th Ghana Interfaith Solidarity March, bringing together religious leaders, civil society organizations, and community members under the theme: “Protecting the Religious Freedom of Everyone: Uniting Voices for Peace and Justice.”
- We also conducted listening sessions with members of the first-ever Youth Interreligious Parliament, ensuring that youth voices and lived experiences inform the design and implementation of parliamentary interventions.
- Additionally, to commemorate World Interfaith Harmony Week 2025, ASFIT convened a virtual discussion on “Post-Election Peacebuilding Through the Lens of ‘Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself’”, creating space for reflection, empathy, and dialogue.
International Engagements and Recognition
ASFIT remained actively engaged in global and continental peacebuilding spaces throughout the year:
In December 2025, ASFIT was featured in the 10×10 Youth, Peace and Security Impact Series during the Continental Stocktaking Conference on Youth, Peace and Security in Nairobi, Kenya. During the conference, ASFIT’s Executive Director, Mr. Issah Toha Shamsoo, was recognized and awarded for his contribution to advancing the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda across Africa. This recognition was both a moment of pride and a reminder of the responsibility to continue advancing youth participation and leadership in peace and security processes.
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In November 2025, we joined over 120 young peacebuilders, institutions, and partners at the EU Second Youth, Peace and Security Conference in Brussels, Belgium, to reflect and strategize on advancing meaningful youth participation globally.
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In October 2025, ASFIT participated in the Global Ethics Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, an official pre-summit event of the AI Impact Summit 2026, with the support of Globethics and partners.
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In June 2025, ASFIT participated and contributed to the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Rome, Italy, reaffirming that dialogue is not a weakness but a strength in building inclusive societies.
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ASFIT also participated in the West and Central Africa Youth4Peace Forum in Accra, Ghana, engaging with regional youth peacebuilders to exchange best practices on Youth, Peace and Security implementation and the development of National Action Plans across the region.
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As part of continental advocacy, ASFIT’s Executive Director joined other members of the African Youth Advocacy Team on a Youth, Peace and Security advocacy mission to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, engaging key institutions, including the Silencing The Guns Secretariat at the African Union, UNFPA, UNDP, GIZ, etc., to advance meaningful youth participation.
In December 2025, ASFIT was featured in the 10×10 Youth, Peace and Security Impact Series during the Continental Stocktaking Conference on Youth, Peace and Security in Nairobi, Kenya. During the conference, ASFIT’s Executive Director, Mr. Issah Toha Shamsoo, was recognized and awarded for his contribution to advancing the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda across Africa. This recognition was both a moment of pride and a reminder of the responsibility to continue advancing youth participation and leadership in peace and security processes.
In November 2025, we joined over 120 young peacebuilders, institutions, and partners at the EU Second Youth, Peace and Security Conference in Brussels, Belgium, to reflect and strategize on advancing meaningful youth participation globally.
In October 2025, ASFIT participated in the Global Ethics Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, an official pre-summit event of the AI Impact Summit 2026, with the support of Globethics and partners.
In June 2025, ASFIT participated and contributed to the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Rome, Italy, reaffirming that dialogue is not a weakness but a strength in building inclusive societies.
ASFIT also participated in the West and Central Africa Youth4Peace Forum in Accra, Ghana, engaging with regional youth peacebuilders to exchange best practices on Youth, Peace and Security implementation and the development of National Action Plans across the region.
As part of continental advocacy, ASFIT’s Executive Director joined other members of the African Youth Advocacy Team on a Youth, Peace and Security advocacy mission to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, engaging key institutions, including the Silencing The Guns Secretariat at the African Union, UNFPA, UNDP, GIZ, etc., to advance meaningful youth participation.
