The Ashanti Regional Chapter of the National Peace Council has organized a peace sensitization workshop for young people and Community Peace Youth Ambassadors as part of efforts to reduce violence and promote peaceful coexistence across communities.
The workshop sought to actively involve young people in peace building initiatives, recognizing them as key stakeholders in addressing and preventing violence within their communities.
Regional Chairperson of the National Peace Council, Dr. Harriet Takyi, acknowledged that the Council had, over the years, paid limited attention to the direct involvement of young people in its peace campaigns.
According to her, the Council has realized that excluding the youth from peace building efforts has not yielded the desired results, considering their significant influence and numerical strength within society.
“Young people are at the forefront of technological innovation and information dissemination. If we are embarking on a peace campaign, we cannot leave them behind, especially when they constitute about 45 percent of Ghana’s population,” she said.
Dr. Takyi stressed that the active participation of young people is essential to achieving lasting peace and sustainable development in communities.
She noted that many incidents of crime and violence involve young people, making it necessary to engage and educate them on their role in promoting peace.
“We need to help young people understand that they are an integral part of the peace campaign. They are not only stakeholders but also the future leaders of this country. Their involvement is crucial in maintaining peace within our communities,” she added.
Dr. Takyi further stated that well-informed and empowered youth are less likely to be influenced by individuals or groups seeking to incite violence or disrupt peace in their communities.
Some participants at the workshop also underscored the importance of collective responsibility in promoting peace, emphasizing that sustainable national development can only thrive in a peaceful environment.
According to them, communities where peace is absent often struggle to achieve meaningful social and economic development.
