Sierra Leone has recommitted to youth leadership and peacebuilding after participating in a regional consultation on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) in Accra, Ghana.
The Minister of Youth Affairs participated in the West Africa Regional Consultation on implementing the Continental Framework on Youth, Peace and Security and its 10-Year Implementation Plan. The Minister was accompanied by the Director of Programs, James B. Sandi, and Tejan Kellah, President of the National Youth Council.
Convened by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), the meeting was held under the theme “Advancing Youth, Peace and Security in West Africa: Strengthening Regional Cooperation, Knowledge Sharing and Strategic Alliances.”
During the consultation, Ministers and Directors of Youth from 12 ECOWAS Member States met with representatives of the African Union, UNDP, UNFPA, civil society, youth-led organisations and development partners. Participants discussed how to boost regional collaboration and turn common commitments into concrete action.
The Sierra Leone delegation joined regional leaders and young people to reflect on the progress made over the decade since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250. Discussions also took stock of the status of Youth, Peace and Security National Action Plans, highlighted lessons learned, and looked at ways to accelerate implementation across West Africa.
Sierra Leone’s participation demonstrates its commitment to advancing the YPS agenda and contributes to broader efforts to strengthen youth leadership, peacebuilding and governance across the region. Young people’s genuine engagement in these areas remains central to building inclusive and resilient societies.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing Sierra Leone’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security in partnership with UNDP and other relevant stakeholders during the consultation. The Minister emphasised the need for ongoing collaboration to turn regional discussions into concrete national action.
Sierra Leone wants to empower youth to be active agents of peace, inclusion and resilience through renewed regional cooperation.
