More than 200 young people walked through Accra on September 26 to mark the 2026 International Day of Peace. The 4.2-kilometre route took them from Accra Girls Senior High School along Olusegun Obasanjo Highway and Hilla Limann Highway, passing through Maamobi, Kawukudi, and Nima before finishing at Accra High School.
The Peace Walk aimed to push for greater investment in young people’s education on tolerance, critical thinking, and peacebuilding. Janet Sarney-Kuma, Director of Capacity Development and Outreach at the National Peace Council (NPC), delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Council. She said lasting peace “for everyone, everywhere, every day” depends on empowering youth to be “everyday architects of peace” instead of participants in violence.
The walk brought together students from La Presec, Accra High School, and Labone Senior High School, along with peacebuilders and partner organisations. It ended with a gala at Accra High School’s field.
Madam Sarney-Kuma said the event was a step toward building a Ghana “where differences do not divide us, disagreements do not destroy us, and conflict is managed through dialogue rather than violence.” She spoke under the United Nations’ global theme for this year’s International Day of Peace: “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” The NPC set a national theme for the occasion: “Shaping Minds, Securing Peace: Educating Youth Against Violence.”
The event reflected ongoing concerns about youth involvement in violence and the need to equip them with education that promotes peaceful conflict resolution. The National Peace Council is calling for more resources to support young people’s capacity to think critically and tolerate differences, aiming to reduce tensions that can escalate into violence.
The walk’s route through several busy Accra neighbourhoods, including Maamobi, Kawukudi, and Nima, highlighted areas where youth engagement is particularly needed. These communities often face social challenges that can lead to conflict.
The NPC’s focus on youth education as a way to secure peace echoes wider efforts in Ghana to reduce violence ahead of elections and other politically sensitive periods. By involving students from multiple senior high schools, the Peace Walk provided a platform for young people to express their commitment to peace publicly.
The event was held amid calls across Ghanaian society for dialogue and nonviolent approaches to disagreements. The National Peace Council hopes the walk and its message will inspire similar initiatives nationwide.
The Peace Walk made clear that peacebuilding requires more than slogans. It calls for real investment in young people’s minds and lives, giving them tools to manage conflict peacefully every day.
According to Joy Online.
