{
  "id": 16428842,
  "title": "Youth and Women’s empowerment is a national security priority – President Mahama",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/youth-and-womens-empowerment-is-a-national-security-priority",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T04:13:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/youth-and-womens-empowerment-is-a-national-security-priority-president-mahama/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the importance of economic empowerment for women and young people as a crucial aspect of Africa's peace and security strategy. In a speech at the 2026 Tana State of Peace and Security in Africa Report presentation in Ethiopia, Mahama highlighted how unemployment, economic exclusion, and limited opportunities can leave young individuals susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups and armed networks.\n\nMahama stressed that empowerment should not be viewed as mere charity or a symbolic gesture. He pointed out that women, despite their significant contribution to agricultural production, face barriers in accessing and owning land, which hinders inclusive development and the establishment of lasting peace.\n\nThe President underscored that security strategies must address the social and economic conditions that attract young people to armed groups. Mahama argued that governments cannot achieve sustainable peace without creating economic opportunities, enhancing social inclusion, and ensuring that women and young people genuinely benefit from national development.\n\nMahama advocated for a people-centered approach to security that takes into account the concerns and livelihoods of communities most at risk of violence.",
  "summary": "By: Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah President John Dramani Mahama has called for greater economic empowerment of women and young people, describing their inclusion in development as an essential component of Africa’s peace and security strategy. He said unemployment, economic exclusion and limited access to opportunities could leave young people vulnerable to recruitment by extremist […]",
  "key_points": [
    "President Mahama stresses youth and women's empowerment as national security priority.",
    "Unemployment and economic exclusion make youth vulnerable to extremist recruitment.",
    "Empowerment should address social and economic conditions attracting young people to armed groups."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Integrating economic inclusion into security frameworks shifts the focus from military defense to addressing the underlying social vulnerabilities that drive extremist recruitment and regional instability.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}