By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, Nov. 19, GNA – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and the African School of Economics (ASE), have called for sustained investment in Africa’s rapidly growing youth population to prevent instability and unlock long-term economic, social, and political dividends.
This comes after the conclusion of a two-day end-of-project workshop held from November 17 to 18 in Accra.
Supported by the Norwegian Research Council, the workshop marked the end of a multi-year research initiative titled “Unlocking Sub-Saharan Africa’s Demographic Future: From Youth Bulges’ Curse to Demographic Dividends.”
The project examined how Sub-Saharan Africa can turn its massive youth population, over 60 per cent of whom are under 25, into a transformative force for prosperity rather than a driver of conflict.
Stakeholders from government agencies, research institutions, civil society organisations, youth groups and development partners emphasised the need for African countries to adopt deliberate, evidence-based policies that expand opportunities for education, employment, leadership, and gender empowerment.
A central theme throughout the workshop was the role of gender with presenters, stressing that women’s education, economic participation and empowerment were critical to unlocking demographic dividends, yet many youth programmes across the continent overlook young women.
They argued that gender-responsive policies must form the backbone of any demographic strategy.
Participants also highlighted the importance of civil society engagement, youth attitudes, and government responsiveness.
Youth leaders who participated in group sessions proposed priorities such as strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems, addressing skills mismatches, expanding digital innovation programmes, and reforming national youth policies to better reflect modern realities.
Panels on political, economic and social dividends featured experts from PRIO, ASE, and KAIPTC who discussed the links between demographic change and peace, security, democratic participation, labour markets and social resilience.
Discussions emphasised that youth frustration, when unmet by opportunities, can escalate into unrest, but meaningful engagement can turn young people into drivers of stability.
Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, Commandant of KAIPTC, said the discussions reaffirmed that Africa’s demographic reality presented both a challenge and a historic development opportunity.
He noted that the research findings reinforced KAIPTC’s ongoing work in youth leadership and peacebuilding under its Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Programme.
“Our engagements over the last two days have made one thing clear: Africa’s demographic future will be shaped not by numbers but by choices,” he said.
He said, “If we choose to invest strategically in education, skills, gender equality and inclusive governance, the youth bulge will be our greatest comparative advantage. If we fail to do so, we risk deeper inequality, unemployment and instability.”
He added that the workshop helped bridge research, policy and practice, and called for stronger partnerships between institutions such as PRIO, ASE, African governments, regional bodies and youth organisations.
Air Commodore Akrong encouraged participants to continue the collaboration beyond the workshop, and said, “Let this workshop not be an end, but a beginning – beginning of deeper partnerships and a shared commitment to ensuring that Africa’s youth are empowered to shape a peaceful and prosperous future.”
Norwegian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr John Mikal Kvistad, reaffirmed his country’s long-standing support to KAIPTC and emphasised the importance of data-driven policymaking.
He said Norway would continue to back initiatives that strengthen governance systems and promote peace and stability across Africa.
“What we have learned here is invaluable. Africa’s youth can be powerful agents of growth and stability if their governments invest in opportunities, inclusion and gender empowerment. Research institutions and policymakers must continue working hand in hand,” the Ambassador said.
Prof. Henrik Urdal of PRIO, a lead researcher on the project, said the findings revealed that demographic dividends must be understood beyond the economic dimension.
He said, “They are also political and social,” he said, citing improved civic participation, inclusive norms and stronger governance systems as essential elements of a demographic dividend.
He expressed gratitude to KAIPTC and its researchers for their collaboration and called for deeper institutional partnerships.
The workshop concluded with a roadmap outlining the creation of gender-responsive education reforms, designing youth-inclusive governance systems, scaling up employment and skills development programmes, and strengthening partnerships among governments, researchers and youth-led organisations.
The research project and workshop outcomes would support ongoing regional conversations within the African Union, ECOWAS and national governments on how to effectively plan for Africa’s demographic transition.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie