With concerns rising over the spread of Sahel-related violence into coastal West Africa, 60 young peacebuilders from across the sub-region have converged in Accra to propose solutions and strengthen grassroots responses to emerging security threats.

The three-day West Africa Youth Summit on Peace, Peacebuilding and Security, which opened on Wednesday, brings together youth leaders from border communities, regional peace networks, civil society and marginalised groups.

The summit is themed “Leaders of Today, Not Tomorrow,” with organisers pushing for stronger youth involvement in shaping national and regional security policies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Director of the National Peace Council, Dr George Amoh, highlighted the urgency of the discussions, noting that instability in the Sahel continues to expand southwards.

“We are facing increasing security pressures as armed violence moves closer to our coastal borders,” he said.

“Young people are already leading important peace efforts in their communities, and their voices must guide our responses.”

Organisers say the summit creates a platform for youth to share lived experiences on community protection, early warning, conflict prevention and cross-border cooperation. They argue that government security strategies will be incomplete without drawing on the insights of those who confront the consequences of insecurity firsthand.

Conciliation Resources, which convened the summit in partnership with Northcode Ghana and Indigo Côte d’Ivoire, says the meeting comes at a time when West African states are grappling with terrorism, political instability, and rising mistrust between citizens and state institutions.

The gathering will end on Friday with the presentation of the Accra Youth Declaration on Peace and Security, a set of recommendations directed at ECOWAS, the African Union, national governments and development partners.

Organisers believe the declaration will help centre young people in ongoing regional peacebuilding initiatives.