Civil society leaders and national stakeholders demand dedicated funding and institutional frameworks to reverse declining national peace rankings and empower youth in Accra.
The President of the Universal Friendship Organisation Ghana, Mr. Samuel Adobah, has urged the Ghanaian government to establish a dedicated Ministry of Peace and Development to sustain peace advocacy, strengthen social cohesion, and protect the nation’s socio-economic stability.
Mr. Adobah made the call during the national consultation on the development of Ghana’s Youth, Peace and Security Action Plan hosted by the National Youth Authority in Accra.
Addressing delegates across civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, state agencies, and international partners, he emphasized that Ghana’s falling peace ranking over the last five years stems directly from a lack of institutional commitment, warning that peacebuilding cannot remain a seasonal exercise restricted to election cycles.
Demand for Dedicated Ministry of Peace and Institutionalized Funding Frameworks
Mr. Adobah highlighted that several nations have successfully institutionalized permanent peace frameworks, arguing that a dedicated Ministry of Peace and Development would ensure peace advocacy operates as a continuous, everyday national priority.
The UFO President, who was represented at the policy floor during stakeholder sessions, stressed that sustained peace demands permanent policy backing, dedicated state funding, and direct institutional support for youth-led peacebuilding organisations.
He noted with concern that civil society organisations championing stability remain under-supported and invisible, warning that while Ghana retains a popular reputation for peace, unaddressed systemic grievances, youth unemployment, and social vulnerabilities threaten long-term national cohesion.
NYA Harmonizes Youth Action Plan for National Conflict Prevention
Organised by the National Youth Authority, the national consultation brought together key institutional actors to deliberate on the structural drivers of conflict and create an actionable framework for youth inclusion in governance.
Participants focused heavily on the intersection of peace and human development, examining key pillars including conflict prevention, youth leadership, social integration, and economic empowerment.
Speakers across various panels emphasized that an effective Youth, Peace and Security Action Plan must authentically reflect the lived experiences of Ghanaian youth, giving them a structured voice in national peacebuilding processes.
Strategic Imperatives and Looking Ahead
The outcomes of the Accra consultation underscore a critical pivot in Ghana’s regional peace building strategy. By moving away from reactive election-period campaigns toward a permanent, institutionally funded peace architecture, state actors and CSOs are laying the groundwork to mitigate emerging security vulnerabilities. As the National Youth Authority finalizes the Youth, Peace and Security Action Plan for nationwide execution, establishing dedicated funding streams and institutionalizing youth-led conflict prevention will remain essential to sustaining Ghana’s democratic stability and economic growth.
