From 14 to 16 October 2026, KAS, through its Regional Programme “Political Dialogue in West Africa” (PDWA) and within the framework of the WYDE initiative, organised a Youth Political Academy in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, under the theme “Strengthening Youth Political Participation in West Africa.” The event brought together young political actors from Ghana, Liberia, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire to reflect on the challenges young people face in political engagement and on ways to strengthen their participation in decision-making processes.
The Academy aimed to provide a space for exchange, reflection and learning, enabling participants to compare national experiences, share perspectives and develop skills relevant to political engagement. The diversity of backgrounds represented fostered enriching discussions on the realities of youth political participation across West Africa.
The first day focused on analysing the obstacles that limit youth political participation. Through presentations, debates and group work, participants examined the institutional, social and economic factors that influence young people’s engagement in political life. Discussions were introduced through two keynote presentations: “Democracy, Governance and Youth Political Participation in West Africa,” delivered by Hon. Dr Kouadio Marc Langui, Member of Parliament, and “Youth Access to Political Parties and Institutions: Challenges and Prospects,” presented by Me Christ Jourdain Aba, Human Rights Officer at the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Côte d’Ivoire. The exchanges also helped identify several avenues for promoting more inclusive and representative youth participation in democratic processes.
The second day focused on political leadership and the development of skills required for public responsibilities. Facilitated by Mr Gérard Guedegbe, a political communication expert, the sessions addressed topics such as public speaking, political communication, decision-making and understanding political dynamics. Participants were also encouraged to reflect on their political vision, values and the way these shape their identity and engagement in the public sphere.
The programme further emphasised the importance of developing a clear and coherent political identity in order to advocate effectively for one's ideas and contribute constructively to public debate. Through practical exercises and simulations, participants enhanced their argumentation skills while working on essential communication aspects such as body language, active listening and managing interactions during debates.
The final day was dedicated to political advocacy and transforming ideas into concrete action. It began with a presentation by Dr Sylvain N’Guessan, political analyst, on “Advocacy, Influence and Public Policy,” followed by a session led by Mr Israël Guebo, journalist, on “Youth, Digitalisation and New Forms of Political Participation.” Participants explored different approaches to designing advocacy campaigns, mobilising support and using digital tools to disseminate political messages and raise citizens’ awareness. Discussions also addressed strategies for increasing youth involvement in decision-making processes at the local, national and regional levels.
In addition, a reflection workshop led by Mr Gnamien Attoungbré, former KAS scholarship holder, encouraged participants to consider the question: “How can youth political participation in West Africa be strengthened in concrete terms?” Through this participatory exercise, participants formulated recommendations and identified practical approaches adapted to the realities of their respective national contexts.
In the closing session, participants returned to the Academy’s central question: “How can youth political participation in West Africa be strengthened?” This collective reflection helped place the main lessons of the three days into perspective and identify avenues for encouraging more active youth engagement in the political life of their respective countries.
Beyond the formal sessions, the Academy also served as a platform for networking among young political leaders who share a common interest in strengthening democracy and civic participation. Informal exchanges and the sharing of experiences contributed to building connections among participants while fostering a deeper understanding of political realities across the region.
Through this initiative, KAS seeks to strengthen the capacities of young political actors and encourage their active participation in democratic processes across West Africa. By promoting practical skills, peer-to-peer dialogue and reflection on contemporary political challenges, the Youth Political Academy contributes to fostering more inclusive and representative political participation among West African youth.