Ministers responsible for youth development in West Africa have called for sustainable funding, stronger regional coordination and greater youth participation in governance and peacebuilding to advance the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda.

The call was made at a two-day ministerial consultation held in Accra, Ghana, under the theme, “Advancing Youth, Peace and Security in West Africa: Strengthening Regional Cooperation, Knowledge Sharing and Strategic Partnerships.”

The ministers identified inadequate resources and weak coordination among member states as major issues requiring attention if commitments on youth participation, peacebuilding and security are to translate into practical action.

They called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners and other stakeholders, as well as increased national budgetary allocations to support the agenda.

The consultation reviewed progress on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security and the African Union Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security.

Discussions focused on strengthening national action plans, improving coordination among institutions and ensuring that young people have meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making and peacebuilding.

The ministers also considered the need for a costed and measurable regional action plan to guide implementation across member states.

One of the proposals was the establishment of a regional Youth, Peace and Security Basket Fund to mobilise predictable and sustainable resources from member states, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector.

The consultation also proposed a regional YPS Steering Committee to coordinate implementation and provide oversight.

Other recommendations included strengthening youth representation in political and decision-making processes, investing in leadership development, research, documentation and mentorship, and addressing emerging concerns involving artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the use of digital platforms for peacebuilding.

The meeting emphasised the need to move beyond policy commitments and ensure that young people are actively involved in preventing conflicts, strengthening social cohesion and contributing to governance.

However, the communiqué did not indicate whether the proposed regional fund had secured financial commitments, when it would become operational or how much member states and development partners would be expected to contribute.

The proposed steering committee and regional action plan would also require further details on membership, responsibilities, implementation timelines and monitoring arrangements.

The consultation forms part of efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen regional cooperation on youth development and security. Implementation of the YPS agenda is expected to require sustained political commitment and adequate resources from member states and partners.