The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has held a pioneering training programme focused on Youth in Leadership and Peacebuilding to help develop young people in leading peacebuilding in Africa. 

The programme, championed by the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI) at the KAIPTC, aims to equip selected young people from across Africa with the skills and expertise in leading sustainable peacebuilding, conflict prevention and development across Africa.

The five-day programme commenced at the Centre in Teshie-Accra last Monday in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). It sought to equip young people with knowledge and skills necessary to advocate peace and leadership effectively among the youth audience, promoting social harmony and positive change.

It is expected to increase awareness among youth about the importance of peacebuilding and leadership; actively engage more youth in peace-promoting activities and discussions, as well as establish ongoing networks to continue promoting peace-driven initiatives beyond the initial course.

Participants, made up of youth leaders, members of youth-focused non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and activists involved in governance, peacebuilding and community development initiatives, were taken through conflict resolution and prevention simulations, negotiation and mediation and other courses to equip them with the necessary skills to be strong peace agents. 

Need for youth leaders

The Acting Commandant of the KAIPTC, Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, in an open remark delivered on his behalf by the acting director of WYPSI, Sylvia Horname Nutsukpui, indicated the pressing need to raise young people to lead the effort of peacebuilding as the most dominant group in the world.

Air Commodore Akrong said the training was developed following extensive stakeholder consultations in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Senegal and Ghana, ensuring that the curriculum addressed real-world challenges.

The acting Commandant hailed the programme organised in partnership with SIDA as “a testament to a shared commitment to building the capacity of the youth to meaningfully contribute to society’s development”, and would serve as one of the best platforms.

We are grateful for this support to equip future leaders to promote peace, resilience and unity in society.

He encouraged the participants to absorb as much as they could, share their perspectives, and learn from others, adding that “throughout this training, you will engage in discussions, and collaborative exercises designed to enhance your understanding of peacebuilding principles, conflict resolution strategies, and effective leadership skills”.

Air Commodore Akrong expressed gratitude to SIDA for their financial and strategic support in making the training possible, describing the partnership as a demonstration of a shared commitment to empowering youth to make meaningful contributions to peace and development across the continent.

Critical role of youth

A facilitator at the programme, Dr Fifi Adu-Afful, told the Daily Graphic in an interview that the time was right for young people to rewrite the negative perception attached to them as perpetrators of violence.

Dr Edu-Afful highlighted that "oftentimes, we think young people are spoilers, used for all kinds of nefarious activities.

However, the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250 paved the way for us to understand the important role youth play in peacebuilding and fashion out ways to engage them."

He stressed that the UNSCR 2250, adopted in 2015, recognised the critical role of youth in conflict prevention and resolution, urging greater inclusion in decision-making processes.

The consultant also emphasised that empowering young leaders was essential for fostering long-term stability in Africa in the wake of increasing global conflicts.

Dr Edu-Afful urged the participants to seize the opportunity to learn from the facilitators and help in peacebuilding in their respective societies.