The Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda (YPS) was first established by the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250 (2015) to specifically address the global youth population in relation to peace and security. Through this resolution, the Security Council acknowledged for the first time "the important and positive contribution of youth in efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security" and outlined five different pillars for action: Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnership, and Disengagement and Reintegration.

Subsequently, two other resolutions were adopted to complement UNSCR 2250, which are UNSCR 2419 (2018) and UNSCR 2535 (2020). While acknowledging the disproportionate impact of conflict on youth, these resolutions recognized the key roles that meaningful inclusion and participation of youth can play in fostering and sustaining peace. Furthermore, they put forward relevant strategies that the international community can adopt to reinforce youth participation and partnerships in peacebuilding, as well as to prevent youth from being engaged in violent conflicts. In line with the international efforts to promote the YPS agenda, there were also regional as well as sub-regional efforts taking place.

At the regional level, the AU officially adopted the Continental Framework for Youth, Peace, and Security on August 21st, 2020. With its ten-year implementation plan, the Continental Framework seeks to

1. facilitate the acceptance and acknowledgment of efforts of young Africans in peace and security
2. enhance partnerships and cooperation among target audiences and stakeholders on youth, peace, and security, and
3. promote the advancement of youth-led/centered strategic plans, initiatives, and programs by AUC, Regional Economic Communities, Member States, and other stakeholders, including the development and implementation of national action plans on youth, peace, and security that are aligned with national youth policies and development plans of the member nations.

At the sub-regional level, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has incorporated youth empowerment as the priority area in its Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF). In the ECPF, ECOWAS clearly states that the objective is to develop self-reliant, responsible, and socially accountable role players as well as to discourage the behavior or actions that bring about violence and insecurity in communities and within the region by adding value and raising the capacities of young people3 . As part of the effort, ECOWAS has been hosting the Annual Youth Forum for Peace and Security since 2018, as well as organizing a series of workshops aimed at reinforcing youth capacities on relevant issues

Read full article: Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda in Ghana: The Status of Ghanaian youth in relation to the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda 2023

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