The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, in collaboration with the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), is conducting a three-day regional conference focused on the sustainable participation of youth in governance. The event, held from May 7 to 9, 2025, takes place in Accra, Ghana.
Under the theme “Harnessing Youth Agency in Deepening Democratic Governance and Inclusive Development,” the conference aims to provide a platform for youth engagement in democratic governance. It seeks to promote initiatives led by and focused on youth, along with strategies to enhance meaningful and sustainable participation in democratic governance and inclusive development.
Honourable George Opare Addo, Ghana's Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, welcomed participants to the conference. He expressed gratitude to ECOWAS for choosing Ghana as the host country for this significant event. Addo also congratulated participants on ECOWAS's 50th anniversary celebration that began two weeks ago under President John Dramani Mahama's auspices.
Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah (Ph.D.), ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security—represented by Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu—opened the conference. Musah emphasized ECOWAS's commitment to maintaining this annual conference as a space for discussions shaping democratic governance dynamics. He highlighted the role of youth in driving change and innovation within member states.
Musah addressed declining youth engagement in democratic processes despite their majority status among electorates across member states. He encouraged young people to adopt positive attitudes toward governance processes while urging governments to bolster democracy through youth empowerment programs.
Goodwill messages from Mrs. Anna Lixi of the European Union delegation and Mrs. Franziska Jebens from the German Embassy underscored efforts made toward convening youth stakeholders at this regional conference as crucial steps toward addressing challenges hindering young people's involvement in democracy.
Participants included Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, represented by Mr. Francis Chuks Njoaguani; Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh represented by Mrs. Clara Kasser-Tee; alongside other leaders from various sectors across ECOWAS countries.
The conference receives support from several entities including ECOWAS Peace Security Governance project co-financed by both European Union (EU) & German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ). It is jointly implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), Expertise France (EF), Fundación Internacional y Para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIAP).
Alerts Sign-up