On the International Day of Peace, September 21, YES Ghana alumni launched their "YES for Peace: The Role of Youth in Election 2016" initiative to promote non-violent civic engagement. The project, in collaboration with AFS Ghana School Clubs and the National Endowment for Democracy, is intended to educate young people across the country and established youth groups on the need for peace before, during, and after the upcoming 2016 general elections in Ghana. This initiative, which originally launched prior to the 2012 general elections, forms part of the YES Ghana Alumni Association’s commitment to give back to society and aims at complementing government and civil societies’ efforts at ensuring peaceful general elections. 

The event, which took place at the Accra YWCA, had various representatives from the National Commission on Civic Education, Institute of Economic Affairs, police, media, political bodies and other organizations pledging their good will messages to the audience. American YES Abroad students were also in attendance to lend support.

Launching the peace project, Rev. Okomeng-Mensah, National Chairperson of AFS IEP Ghana, remarked that the aim of this program is to co-exist with individuals from neighboring countries and sustain the current state of peacefulness. He advised the youth to be circumspect when rallying their support for any political party and to be the ambassadors for peace in this year’s election.

Speaking to Kasapafmonline.com, the YES Ghana Alumni Association President, Nasir Adu Ahmad, remarked that the peace project will target regions like Northern, Ashanti and Volta since these places are known as the ‘World Bank’ for the two major political parties in Ghana. He emphasized that the youth are assets for peace in the society, adding that the peace campaign seeks to engage the youth to show their willingness to be responsible for ensuring an atmosphere of peace in their communities.

From the beginning of October to the beginning of November, teams of regionally-based alumni will be working to organize regional peace-building events that bring together traditional chiefs, youth leaders, political party activists, police and residents. Follow @YES_AlumGH for updates!