ABUJA, September 30, 2026 — Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening military cooperation, particularly in the fight against terrorism and other regional security threats.
According to a statement signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, made the commitment on Wednesday in Abuja when he received Major General Matthew Brown, Commander of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on an official working visit.
The statement said the meeting focused on reviewing ongoing joint security initiatives and developing a more result-oriented strategic framework for future defence collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.
General Musa expressed appreciation to the U.S. Government for its sustained partnership, noting that collaborative security operations in the North-East, particularly around the Lake Chad Basin, had significantly boosted troop morale.
The Minister identified key areas for enhanced cooperation, including specialised joint training for Special Forces, intelligence sharing and capacity building, enhanced border surveillance and security, counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) support, and modernisation of defence infrastructure.
In his remarks, Major General Brown extended early Independence Day felicitations to Nigeria and expressed appreciation for the decades-long military-to-military relationship between both countries.
He highlighted successful counter-terrorism engagements against ISIS-affiliated groups in Africa and commended the troops involved.
The U.S. commander also clarified that U.S. military activities in Nigeria are temporary and focused primarily on institutional support and collaboration, following the departure of personnel who formed part of the Combined Special Task Force that operated in the Bauchi area.
According to the statement, Brown described the bilateral relationship as strategic and founded on mutual trust, adding that the primary objective of his visit was to gain a direct understanding of Nigeria’s defence priorities.
He said the understanding would help align broader U.S. support with Nigeria’s security needs and strengthen ongoing bilateral intelligence-sharing efforts.
Sustained military operations across Nigeria forced 73 insurgents and their family members to surrender in September, while hundreds of kidnapped victims were rescued and criminal networks disrupted in different parts of the country.
The Defence Headquarters said the month-long operations also resulted in the neutralisation of 52 terrorists and other criminal elements and the arrest of 350 suspects between August 31 and September 30.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Micheal Onoja, disclosed the figures on Wednesday during the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly and Third Quarter Media Briefing on military operations across the country.
In the North-East, where troops have continued to put pressure on terrorist enclaves, Operation HADIN KAI rescued 103 kidnapped victims, neutralised 27 terrorists and arrested 49 suspects during the period.
But beyond the battlefield, the military also recorded a significant number of insurgents and their families abandoning the terrorist groups.
On September 24, troops rescued 44 members of terrorist families, including 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga and Bama in Borno State.
The Defence Headquarters also reported that more than 70 insurgents and their family members surrendered at different locations during the month, with some reportedly citing hunger, harsh living conditions and shortages of basic supplies within the enclaves.
The pressure was also felt in the North-West, where Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 171 kidnapped victims, arrested 26 suspects and neutralised seven terrorists.
In one of the month’s notable operations, a Nigerian Air Force jet intercepted terrorists moving with more than 60 kidnapped victims around Bazama in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State on September 17. The disruption allowed the victims to escape.
In the North-Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued 320 kidnapped victims, arrested 57 suspects and neutralised one terrorist.
Among those rescued were 18 passengers abducted from a commercial bus at Andaha Community along the Jos-Akwanga Road in Nasarawa State on September 26.
Other theatres also recorded gains. Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD rescued 27 victims, while Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued another 28.
In the South-South, the military turned its attention to illegal oil activities, with Operation DELTA SAFE arresting 33 suspects, destroying eight illegal refining sites and recovering more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products.
Operation UDO KA in the South-East rescued six victims, arrested 28 suspects and neutralised three criminal elements. Troops also destroyed an illegal bunkering site and arrested a suspected improvised explosive device fabrication expert.
Micheal said the operations were part of the Armed Forces’ continued efforts to protect civilians, disrupt terrorist and criminal networks and secure critical national assets.
He said the military would sustain its operations while strengthening intelligence gathering, cooperation with other security agencies and engagement with communities to address security threats across the country.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening weather and climate information services for farmers as part of efforts to build a more productive, resilient and food-secure agricultural sector in Nigeria.
The Director General/CEO of NiMet, Prof. Charles Anosike, stated this in his goodwill message at the *National Strategic Dialogue on the Preparation of the AGROW Component 2.2 – National Implementation Strategy and Digital Agriculture Architecture, organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security under the World Bank-supported Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value Chain (AGROW) Project.
The dialogue, held under the theme, “Building a Unified, Inclusive and Future-Ready Digital Agriculture Ecosystem for a More Productive, Resilient and Food-Secure Nigeria,” brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on strengthening Nigeria’s digital agriculture ecosystem.
Prof. Anosike said the dialogue was important to NiMet given its mandate to provide weather and climate information that protects lives, supports livelihoods and enables informed planning across climate-sensitive sectors. According to him, climate variability, changing rainfall patterns and extreme weather events are increasingly affecting agriculture, making timely and reliable climate information critical to agricultural planning and decision-making.
Prof. Anosike noted that NiMet provides Seasonal Climate Predictions, regular weather updates, agrometeorological services and impact-based advisories to help farmers make informed decisions on planting, water and input management, while reducing avoidable losses.
Prof. Anosike emphasized the importance of digital agriculture as a critical pathway for translating climate information into practical, farm-level action and also highlighted NiMet’s partnerships with Tomorrow.io and MTN on the Digital Climate Advisory Services (DCAS) System, which is designed to deliver location specific weather advisories to farmers through mobile SMS, as well as its partnership with the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale) to strengthen the integration of AI-based weather forecasting with digital advisory systems.
He stressed the need for digital agricultural services to reach farmers through accessible and trusted channels, noting that collaboration with extension services, technology providers, telecommunications companies, community radio and farmer organisations would be essential for effective last-mile delivery.
The NiMet DG|CEO also emphasised the importance of making such services responsive to farmers’ realities, including language, literacy, connectivity, affordability and gender inclusion, while involving farmers in the development of climate services.
Prof Anosike commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, for his efforts towards promoting climate-smart agriculture and challenged stakeholders at the dialogue to develop a practical, inclusive and measurable roadmap for integrating weather and climate services into decision-making across the agricultural value chain and concluded his remark by expressing optimism that the dialogue would advance climate-smart, digitally enabled and farmer-centred agriculture, while reaffirming NiMet’s readiness to provide the technical leadership needed to strengthen climate services, support food security and build resilient livelihoods in Nigeria.
The Federal Government has launched a National Youth Data Bank designed to give it a clearer picture of Nigeria’s young population and help connect young Nigerians with jobs, skills training, internships, entrepreneurship and other opportunities.
The initiative, launched by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development on Tuesday, is expected to provide a central platform for information on the educational backgrounds, skills, employment status, entrepreneurial interests, locations and aspirations of young Nigerians.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the success of the National Youth Data Bank would depend on sustained collaboration among government ministries and agencies, state governments, educational institutions, development partners, the private sector, civil society organisations and youth groups.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande delivering his keynote address
Olawande said the initiative was not simply about collecting and storing information, but about using reliable data to identify young Nigerians and connect them with opportunities suited to their skills, circumstances and aspirations.
He stressed the need for inclusion, privacy and responsible management of the information, noting that young Nigerians have different experiences based on factors including location, gender, education, economic circumstances, disability and access to infrastructure.
According to the Minister, the platform is expected to improve the visibility of young people who may be missing from existing datasets, particularly those living in rural and underserved communities.
He said the initiative would also strengthen government’s ability to identify emerging needs, design targeted programmes and assess how effectively youth interventions are reaching their intended beneficiaries.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, represented by the Director, Human Resources, Olaniepekun Akinwumi Adebayo, described the initiative as an important step towards improving youth development planning.
She said credible information on the education, skills, employment status, entrepreneurial interests, locations, aspirations and vulnerabilities of young Nigerians would help government and other stakeholders better understand and respond to the needs of the country’s youth population.
Keshinro added that the Data Bank would support evidence-based policymaking, programme targeting, monitoring and evaluation, as well as better coordination among institutions working on youth development.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth Development, Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu, represented by the committee’s Clerk, Dr. Ijeoma Chilean, also described the initiative as a significant development for youth-focused planning.
He said reliable information on Nigeria’s young population could support legislation, policy formulation, resource allocation and the design of targeted interventions.
The Ministry said the National Youth Data Bank is intended to serve as a central platform for youth-related information and provide stakeholders with better insight into the needs, skills, aspirations and opportunities of young Nigerians.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader youth development agenda covering skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and human capital development. The ministry’s stated vision is to “Know the Youth, Understand the Youth, Connect the Youth and Empower the Youth.”
The launch also builds on earlier federal government plans for a Youth Data Bank. In 2024, the Presidency said the proposed bank would help provide more inclusive data to guide government decisions and youth-focused investments.
Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice M. N. Umaru Kogo, has called on Nigerians to reflect deeply on the country’s historical journey, democratic development and continuing responsibility to build a united and progressive nation.
Kogo made the call while delivering a keynote address titled “Nigeria’s Nationhood: How Far So Far?” at an event in Abuja marking the presentation of Nigeria Democratic Journey: Struggles, Sacrifices and National Development from Pre-Colonial Era to the Present.
The Tribunal Chairman said Nigeria’s story could not be properly understood by looking only at the 66 years since independence, stressing the need to examine the historical experiences, indigenous systems of governance, colonial encounters and political developments that shaped the country.
According to him, Nigeria’s nationhood evolved from a complex history involving different kingdoms, empires, cultures, religions and systems of governance before the emergence of the modern Nigerian state.
He traced the country’s historical development through pre-colonial societies, the spread of Islam and Christianity, the colonial period, the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria in 1914 and the eventual struggle for independence.
Chairman, CCT, Hon. Justice M. N. Umaru Kogo and Hakimi of Galadimawa District, HRH Musa Barde
Kogo also reflected on the different developmental trajectories of the Northern and Southern parts of the country, particularly in relation to Western education, traditional institutions and the influence of trans-Saharan trade and Christian missionary activities.
He said Nigeria’s diversity made unity, peaceful coexistence and respect for differences essential to the survival and progress of the country.
The Chairman further examined Nigeria’s transition from colonial rule to independence, highlighting the political choices and leadership considerations that shaped the emergence of the First Republic.
He recalled the contributions of nationalist leaders including Sir Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, while reflecting on the political circumstances surrounding the choice of leadership at independence.
Kogo argued that Nigeria’s early political leaders were confronted with the difficult task of managing a country characterised by significant ethnic, religious, regional and cultural differences.
He also raised questions about the character of Nigeria’s contemporary democracy, urging Nigerians to examine whether the principles of national interest, integrity, cohesion and responsible leadership that informed earlier political discussions remain sufficiently reflected in the country’s democratic practice.
He said the journey of nation-building should not be viewed merely as a contest for political power, but as a continuing responsibility to protect national unity and promote development.
In his welcome address, the convener, Idakwo Oruma Ishiaka, said the publication of Nigeria Democratic Journey formed part of a broader effort to encourage Nigerians to understand their history and take greater responsibility for the country’s future.
The Convener, Idakwo Oruma Ishiaka delivering welcome remarks
He said the book was intended to document important experiences, struggles and sacrifices in Nigeria’s democratic journey while stimulating conversations about where the country had come from, where it was presently and the responsibilities that lay ahead.
Ishiaka also encouraged Nigerians to serve their communities and the country at large, stressing the importance of responsible citizenship and collective contribution to national development.
He expressed appreciation to the keynote speaker, Hon. Justice M. N. Umaru Kogo, the book reviewer, invited dignitaries, partners, members of the organising committee, media organisations and volunteers whose contributions made the occasion possible.
He also congratulated the award recipients, describing their recognition not merely as an honour but as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with public recognition.
Addressing young Nigerians, the convener urged them to see themselves not merely as leaders of tomorrow but as important stakeholders in Nigeria today.
He said the future of the country’s democracy and national development would depend greatly on the knowledge, character, creativity, courage and commitment of young Nigerians.
Ishiaka urged participants to make the gathering more than a celebration, but a moment of reflection, dialogue and renewed commitment to the Nigeria they desire.
Reviewing the book, Dr. Isah Husein Adagiri, Lecturer, Department of Economics, FCT College of Education, Zuba, described Nigeria Democratic Journey as an important attempt to preserve Nigeria’s political and historical memory.
Adagiri said the 14-chapter book, divided into five parts, traces Nigeria’s journey from pre-colonial societies and indigenous governance through colonialism, the 1914 amalgamation, nationalism and independence, the First Republic, military rule, the Civil War, the Second Republic, the June 12 struggle and the emergence of the Fourth Republic.
He said the book also examines contemporary political developments, including the 2023 elections, youth mobilisation and social-media politics, while linking democracy to culture and national development.
The reviewer commended the author for documenting the contributions of ordinary Nigerians, including farmers, teachers, workers, traders, women and young people, rather than focusing exclusively on presidents and political office holders.
He, however, suggested areas for enrichment in a subsequent edition, including greater attention to the contributions of women such as Margaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, as well as electoral reforms involving technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal.
Adagiri described the publication as a textbook, reference work and civic resource capable of helping students, researchers, journalists and young Nigerians better understand Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Also speaking, the Hakimi of Galadimawa District, HRH Musa Barde, endorsed the initiative, describing the gathering as a worthwhile effort to promote reflection on Nigeria’s democratic journey, national development and the values required to strengthen society.
The traditional ruler also emphasised the importance of recognising individuals whose contributions have made a positive impact in their communities and the country at large, noting that such recognition can encourage others to follow their example.
He encouraged those whose service deserves national recognition to remain committed to making meaningful contributions to society, stressing that initiatives of this nature can help inspire younger Nigerians while reinforcing the values of patriotism, responsible citizenship, peaceful coexistence and service to humanity.
By endorsing the event, HRH Musa Barde also underscored the role of traditional institutions in encouraging civic values, preserving collective memory and supporting initiatives that promote responsible citizenship and national cohesion.
The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), Abuja, and Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen the establishment of the Faculty of Aeronautical and Space Engineering and explore Online Distance Learning (ODL) academic collaboration between the two institutions.
The visit represents a follow-up to an earlier engagement between AAAU and ABU Zaria in May 2026, with discussions focusing on areas of mutual academic and institutional interest.
In his presentation, the Ag. Vice-Chancellor of AAAU, Dr. Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, Ph.D., said the engagement was aimed at seeking the mentorship and expertise of ABU Zaria towards the establishment of the Faculty of Aeronautical and Space Engineering and exploring opportunities for ODL collaboration.
He noted that the growing demand for specialised manpower in the aviation and aerospace sector makes the establishment of the Faculty increasingly important. He added that ABU Zaria was a strategic partner, given its experience in engineering education, ODL administration, and its pool of experienced academics in the Faculty of Engineering.
He explained that the proposed collaboration would enable AAAU to accommodate international students and aviation professionals, particularly those whose professional commitments may require flexible learning options.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Zaria, Prof. Adamu Ahmad, welcomed the AAAU delegation and congratulated the Ag. Vice-Chancellor for pioneering a specialised university dedicated to aviation and aerospace education. He assured AAAU of ABU’s commitment, particularly through its Faculty of Engineering, to supporting the University’s manpower development drive and the establishment of the Faculty.
The engagement culminated in the formal signing of the MOU by representatives of both institutions, marking a significant step towards deepening academic cooperation.
For many postgraduate researchers, writing a strong proposal is only the beginning; defending the work before examiners can be just as challenging. That gap is set to take centre stage in Lagos on September 25, as Highstone Global University USA hosts an international research conference for academics, researchers and professionals.
The conference, which begins at 9:00am at the Lagos State University Resource & Conference Center, will focus on practical skills in research methodology, academic writing and thesis and dissertation defence, alongside discussions on climate change.
One of the sessions, “Research Methodology in the Proposal: Choosing and Justifying Your Approach, Design, and Methods,” will take participants through qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches, as well as sampling, data collection, validity and reliability, research ethics and integrity.
For postgraduate researchers struggling with how to turn their research into a well-structured academic document, another session, “Writing for Academic Excellence: Structure, Style, and Scholarly Conventions in Thesis and Dissertation Writing,” will focus on thesis and dissertation structure, academic writing styles and citation methods, including APA, Harvard and MLA.
The session will also address plagiarism prevention and some of the common challenges researchers encounter while writing their academic work.
Attention will also be given to one of the moments many postgraduate students find most demanding defending their research.
Through a session titled “Defending Your Work: Mastering the Thesis/Dissertation Presentation and Viva Voce,” participants will learn about effective presentation techniques, slide design, responding to questions from examiners, managing presentation anxiety and presenting research findings with confidence.
Climate change will form another major part of the conference, with experts expected to examine current research findings, the implications for society and possible approaches to tackling the challenges associated with a changing climate.
According to the organisers, the conference is designed to give participants practical knowledge they can apply to their research proposals, theses and dissertations while creating an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with other researchers and professionals.
Participants will also receive Executive Diploma Certificates, which are scheduled to be presented on September 26, 2026, at the Lagos Theatre, Lagos State.
The organisers said the conference is open to members of the research and academic community who want to strengthen their research capacity and engage in discussions on issues of global importance.
For registration and further information, interested participants can contact Highstone Global University USA via highstoneuniversityus@gmail.com or WhatsApp on (+1) 234-288-1373.
The Universal Friendship Organisation (UFO) Ghana has called on Africans to make peace a daily responsibility, saying genuine friendship and stronger relationships among ordinary people could do more to prevent conflict than waiting for violence before seeking solutions.
President and Founder of UFO Ghana, Mr Samuel Adobah, made the call in a World Peace Day interview, stressing that peace should not be treated as something people remember only when conflict breaks out.
“Without peace, there is no development. We must preach peace every day, everywhere,” Adobah said.
According to him, lasting peace cannot be built by governments and security agencies alone. It also depends on the everyday choices of citizens, how neighbours treat one another, how communities settle disagreements and how people respond to differences in ethnicity, religion and political opinion.
“Governments sign peace treaties, but ordinary people build peace,” he said.
Adobah said Ghana’s relative stability was the result of deliberate efforts over the years, including respect for democratic institutions, tolerance, dialogue and the willingness of citizens to settle political differences through constitutional means.
He noted that Ghana had experienced changes in government through elections since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, describing the country’s democratic institutions, traditional authorities, religious bodies, civil society and media as important contributors to its peace.
But he warned that peace should never be taken for granted.
Adobah identified youth unemployment and misinformation, particularly on social media, as major concerns capable of deepening political and social divisions.
He said a young person frustrated by unemployment and lack of opportunities could easily become vulnerable to manipulation when exposed to false or inflammatory information.
He therefore called for greater investment in youth entrepreneurship, digital skills, civic education and responsible media use.
“Peace must not be partisan,” he added, urging political actors to ensure that political competition did not become a source of hatred or threaten national security.
For UFO Ghana, however, peacebuilding must begin long before conflict becomes visible.
Mr Samuel Adobah, President Universal Friendship Organization
Adobah said the organisation, founded in 2019, had been using peace dialogues, youth conferences, advocacy and community engagement to promote understanding and peaceful coexistence.
He said UFO Ghana operates across five broad areas: education, peace and stability, cultural exchange, health and agriculture with a particular focus on using engagement and dialogue to bring people together.
He also highlighted the organisation’s youth empowerment efforts, including partnerships with the Centre for Intelligence and Security Analysis (CISA), UNIMAC-IJ and Helping Africa Foundation USA.
The aim, he said, was to help young people develop practical skills and become contributors to their communities rather than allowing frustration to push them towards violence.
“Young people are not the problem; they are the solution that is yet to be fully harnessed,” he said.
“An empowered youth is a peaceful youth.”
Adobah also believes peace can be strengthened through simple human connections.
He pointed to the relationship between Ghanaians and Nigerians as an example, noting that the two countries may be separated by borders but remain connected through culture, trade, family ties and shared history.
“When a market woman in Accra trusts her customer from another tribe, when a Ghanaian landlord lives peacefully with a Nigerian tenant, that is real peace,” he said.
He argued that knowing people personally makes it harder to believe harmful stereotypes about them.
“That is the essence of Universal Friendship; we promote tolerance, understanding and unity at the grassroots, where peace truly lives,” he added.
Looking beyond Ghana, Adobah called for stronger cooperation between peace organisations across West Africa, particularly between Ghana and Nigeria.
He proposed a West African Friendship Network that would bring peace organisations together to work on youth peace education, cultural exchange, conflict prevention and campaigns against misinformation and political violence.
He also suggested youth exchange programmes, joint early-warning initiatives and coordinated advocacy through regional and continental institutions.
According to him, UFO Ghana is ready to work with organisations in Nigeria and other African countries and is also planning to establish its presence in Nigeria.
“Ghana and Nigeria are brothers, separated by borders but united by destiny,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Mark Acheampong, Executive Member of UFO Ghana, said Ghana’s peace had been supported by democratic institutions, regular elections, constitutional governance, an active civil society, the media and the contributions of traditional and religious leaders.
Acheampong, however, said peace required constant effort.
“We cannot wait until conflict begins before we start talking about peace,” he said.
He identified youth unemployment, political polarisation and misinformation as interconnected challenges and called for more investment in jobs, skills development, civic education, media literacy and community-level peacebuilding.
He also urged young Africans to see themselves as active participants in peacebuilding rather than simply beneficiaries of peace.
“You cannot continuously tell young people to protect peace while excluding them from conversations about their future,” Acheampong said.
He said UFO Ghana was interested in partnerships with organisations in Nigeria and other African countries around youth peace education, intercultural dialogue, media for peace, conflict prevention and leadership development.
Executive Member, Mark Acheampong
As the world marks World Peace Day, the message from UFO Ghana is that peace cannot be left entirely in the hands of governments or security institutions.
It must also live in homes, schools, markets, communities and across borders in the way people speak to one another, resolve disagreements and respond to their differences.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) hosted the High-level Dialogue on Climate Science Information for Climate Finance and the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange (SOFE) in Beijing, China, from September 14 to 18, 2026.
The High-level Dialogue featured discussions on: strengthening the role and leadership development of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in mobilizing climate finance; aligning scientific and technical capabilities with risk-informed, people-centred early warning systems; shifting from technical assistance to sustainable investments by expanding practical cooperation between meteorological frameworks and multilateral financing entities; and support to NMHSs leadership on strengthening strategic thinking and fostering productive partnerships.
Held back-to-back with the High-level dialogue was the 53rd Senior Official Field Exchange to Fujian Province for first-hand exposure to the implementation of Multi-hazard, Alert, Zero-gap and Universal (MAZU) platform – China’s AI-driven meteorological early warning solution in support of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and disaster risk reduction practices through technical exchanges, field visits and peer learning.
Ghana’s reputation as one of Africa’s most peaceful countries is facing a new test, with the country falling 38 places in the global peace ranking since 2021, according to the Universal Friendship Organization (UFO).
The organisation’s President, Samuel Adobah, raised the concern in a statement issued ahead of the World Peace Day celebration on 21st September 2026, warning that the trend should prompt renewed efforts to protect social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Ghana had reached 38th position globally and second in Africa in 2021, after improving from 44th globally and sixth in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016. Its GPI score in 2021 was 1.715.
But the country’s ranking has since moved in the opposite direction, falling to 40th globally in 2022, 51st in 2023, 55th in 2024, 61st in 2025 and 76th in 2026.
The 2026 Global Peace Index, produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, placed Ghana 76th globally with a score of 1.943. The country ranked behind Mauritius, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, The Gambia, Madagascar, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Senegal in Sub-Saharan Africa.
For the Universal Friendship Organization, the decline is more than a change in numbers on an international ranking. The group said it should serve as a warning at a time when economic pressure, social tensions and political activity are placing additional demands on the country’s peace and stability.
UFO President, Samuel Adobah
The organisation identified the high cost of living, youth unemployment and inequality among the economic pressures it believes are affecting peace, while also pointing to chieftaincy disputes, communal conflicts and discrimination against vulnerable groups.
It also expressed concern about political polarisation, intolerance and mistrust as Ghana prepares for its political season.
The organisation urged the government and political parties to put the country’s peace ahead of partisan interests, warning against hate speech, vote-buying and political rhetoric that could deepen divisions.
“Ghana’s peace is bigger than any political party, candidate, or personal ambition,” the organisation said.
It called on the government to invest more in youth employment, social justice and citizen safety, while urging political parties to embrace decent, issue-based campaigns.
Traditional and religious leaders, it said, should use their influence to promote dialogue and inclusion, while ordinary citizens should contribute through tolerance and peaceful interaction.
The appeal forms part of the organisation’s Peace Campaign Awareness ahead of World Peace Day, which will be marked on 21st September under the theme, “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday.”
The Universal Friendship Organization said maintaining peace requires deliberate investment, stressing that preventing conflict is less costly than dealing with its consequences.
The group also called on Ghanaians to work towards restoring the country’s position among Africa’s most peaceful nations.
