The Coalition for the Development of Northern Ghana (NORTHCODE-GHANA), in partnership with Conciliation Resources–UK and with funding support from Global Affairs Canada, has launched a youth peace project titled “Leaders of Today, Not Tomorrow.”
The project was officially launched on December 29, 2025, at the Damongo Community Centre, bringing together youth groups from across the Savannah Region, representatives of state institutions, traditional authorities, and various ethnic groups.
Launched under the theme “Strengthening Transnational Youth Peace Leadership Along the Ghana–Cote d’Ivoire Border,” the initiative seeks to equip young people with leadership skills to prevent conflict, counter violent extremism, and promote peace in border and vulnerable communities. The discussions at the ceremony focused on practical strategies for conflict prevention and the critical role of youth as agents of peace and development.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of NORTHCODE-GHANA, Mr. Cletus Zume Zeus, explained that the Savannah Region was strategically selected for the project because it is the largest region in Ghana and shares international borders with Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
He noted that neighbouring countries have experienced serious security challenges, including violent extremism and insurgency related attacks, which pose potential spillover risks to Ghana. According to him, empowering young people to take leadership in peacebuilding is essential to safeguarding communities and ensuring long-term stability.
Mr. Zeus also raised concerns about illegal mining activities, particularly in parts of the Bole area, describing them as potential security threats due to the presence of undocumented migrants. He cautioned that such activities could create avenues for criminal networks and instability if not properly addressed.
He urged young people to prioritize their own development and integrity, warning that politicians, traditional leaders, and other influencers sometimes exploit the youth for selfish interests, leading to conflicts that can escalate into communal or tribal violence.
Touching on social challenges, Mr. Zeus described the increasing abuse and trafficking of illicit drugs among the youth as a major threat to their future. He called on the Ghana Police Service to adopt more rehabilitative approaches rather than punitive detention, arguing that structured rehabilitation programmes would better transform affected youth and reintegrate them into society.
The Executive Director further disclosed that NORTHCODE-GHANA is implementing several interventions aimed at preventing violent extremism and conflict in the region, including the KAPOK intervention, which empowers chiefs, queen mothers, and youth leaders to address sensitive issues that often trigger conflicts in communities.
He concluded by calling on the youth to serve as vehicles for peace in the Savannah Region, resist division and manipulation, and embrace dialogue as the preferred means of resolving disputes.
The Assemblyman for the Banda-Nkwanta Electoral Area in the Bole District, Hon. Mbema Mohammed, commended NORTHCODE-GHANA and its partners for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that places youth at the centre of peacebuilding and development.
He highlighted the critical role of young people in driving development and cited the Arise Bole Youth group as an example, noting that the group is actively supporting road construction projects in Bole township by sensitising residents to cooperate with development efforts, even when such projects affect private properties.
According to Hon. Mohammed, sustained engagement with youth through programmes such as this will lead to lasting peace, accelerated development, and effective conflict prevention in communities across the region.
