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ECOWAS seeks stronger youth leadership to tackle West Africa’s security challenges
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Published 11/2/2026 5:00:45 AM
ECOWAS seeks stronger youth leadership to tackle West Africa’s security challenges – Businessday NG
The
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)has called for stronger youth leadership and greater participation of young people in peacebuilding efforts, as the region grapples with violent extremism, political instability, electoral tensions and socioeconomic exclusion.
The regional bloc said empowering young people to take leadership roles in peace and security initiatives was critical to strengthening stability, building resilient communities and advancing sustainable development across West Africa.
The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Political Affairs, organised a two-day Regional Youth Leadership Training on Peace and Security, in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and the German development agency GIZ.
The training, held from October 29 to 30, 2026, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana, focused on youth leadership and peacebuilding amid growing security and governance challenges facing countries in the sub-region.
Held under the theme, ‘Transforming Youth Leadership and Policy Action to Advance Peace, Security and Community Resilience in West Africa’, the programme formed part of ECOWAS consultations on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS).
The initiative comes against the backdrop of multiple threats to stability in West Africa, including violent extremism, political instability, unconstitutional changes of government, electoral tensions, climate-related insecurity and socioeconomic exclusion.
