Engage young people in peacebuilding, decision-making process

The Executive Director of African Students for Interfaith Tolerance, Mr. Issah Toha Shamsoo has called for active youth engagement in peacebuilding and decision-making to ensure sustainable development.

At a 3-day workshop organised under the theme, ‘Equip and Amplify Youth Voices for Peace’ Mr Shamsoo said “we need to create an opportunity for diverse group of young people to learn, share and co-create projects together”.

Participants stationed in the Upper West Region for this year’s event were equipped with skills, knowledge, and tools to contribute to their personal transformation, peacebuilding, enhanced networking and socio-cultural connectivity.

“Peace is a precious gift and national treasure. It is, therefore, the responsibility of everyone including the youth to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in Ghana,” he noted.

He further stated that young people “hold a potential to transform conflict into peace. Also, it is the right of young people to be part of decisions that affect them. In addition, meaningful participation of youth promotes inclusivity and diversity in dealing with peace and conflict dynamics.”

The program which provided an opportunity for young people to interact with fellow peacebuilders, had Nathlaine Matilda Marfo, a participant from Kumasi, saying that: “I have learnt a lot, this has also afforded me an opportunity to build relationships with other young people across different regions. We need more of this. Peace starts with me and together we can.”