Accra — The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) has called for a stronger and more meaningful inclusion of young people in political decision-making, insisting that the youth must be given a bigger say in shaping governance and national development.
The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding stressed that young people are not just the future of governance but active stakeholders in the present who must be involved in leadership, policy design, and democratic processes.
According to WANEP, excluding youth from key political spaces weakens governance systems and limits the potential for innovative solutions to national and regional challenges.
The organisation urged political actors, institutions, and policymakers to create deliberate pathways for youth participation, including leadership roles, advisory positions, and increased representation in decision-making structures.
It further highlighted that meaningful youth inclusion is critical for sustaining peace, strengthening democracy, and addressing pressing issues such as unemployment, insecurity, and social inequality across West Africa.
WANEP also encouraged young people to actively engage in civic processes, while calling on governments to dismantle barriers that prevent youth from fully participating in politics.
The call adds to growing continental conversations on youth empowerment, with advocates arguing that Africa’s large youthful population must be transformed into a force for governance, innovation, and sustainable development.
