The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has officially launched its Youth Development and Mentorship Program, titled Youth Starts with You. The three-day initiative is designed to empower young Africans to actively contribute to the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda, which is critical to fostering sustainable peace and security across Africa. The program saw the participation of 21 young individuals, including 8 women and 13 men.
The core objective of the program is to enhance KAIPTC’s internal capacity to promote the YPS agenda, and build the capacity of youth actors and experts to contribute to YPS policy development and advocacy. The initiative aims to create a new generation of youth leaders who can help operationalize this vital framework for peace and security.
In his opening remarks, Air Commodore David Akrong, Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, emphasized the value of mentorship in the personal and professional development of young people. He highlighted how mentorship fosters an environment for knowledge transfer, talent development, and career guidance, creating a legacy of excellence that empowers future generations.
“This process, as many of you are aware, is not just about imparting skills; it is about creating a legacy of excellence, empowering others to unlock their potential, and ensuring that the values we hold dear here at KAIPTC continue to thrive well into the future,” Air Commodore Akrong stated, encouraging participants to approach the program with open minds and embrace the responsibility that comes with being mentors.
Ms. Teresa Kraft, representing the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), also addressed the participants, stressing the importance of youth involvement in peace and security efforts. She noted that the security situation in the region is deteriorating, with growing concerns about insecurity spilling over from the Sahel into coastal states, including Ghana.
“It is time to take the youth from the margins and place them at the center of peace and security efforts,” Ms. Kraft stated, highlighting the urgency of youth engagement in addressing these challenges.
The Youth Starts with You program is expected to inspire young African leaders to play a more proactive role in promoting peace and security, ensuring that their voices are heard in policy-making and conflict resolution processes across the continent.
The KAIPTC’s Youth Starts with You program is supported by the German government through its implementing agency GIZ.