The Catholic Bishop of Yendi, Most Rev. Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai says peace building is long and laborious task which requires integrity, fairness, impartiality and confidentiality.
To this end, he has urged Regional Peace Councils and MMDCEs to establish and strengthen collaboration with security agencies, traditional authorities, governance institutions, civil society and faith-based organizations in order to build sustainable peace across the country.
Bishop Boi-Nai made the call at a two-day capacity building for MMDCEs on conflict sensitivities in development at Wa in the Upper West Region.
The National Peace Council (NPC) was established the NPC Act, Act 818 of 2011 with the mandate to facilitate and develop mechanisms to prevent, manage, resolve and build sustainable peace in the country.
Most Rev Vincent Sowah Boi-Nai stated that the NPC is conscious of the crucial roles MMDCEs play as chairpersons of security committees in resolving conflicts hence the workshop to strengthen their capacities in conflict resolution techniques.
He continued that the decision to engage MMDCEs across the country is in furtherance of the NPCs mandate.
Bishop Boi-Nai mentioned land demarcation, right of chieftaincy succession, length of regency as well as how to handle and integrate victims of violence as some issues that fuel conflict in Ghana.
The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Amidu Chinnia Issahaku who delivered the opening address, thanked the Regional and the National Peace Council for sustaining peace in Upper West and the country at large.
He indicated that the state of security in the region is relatively stable but added that there are occasional security concerns that require immediate attention.
“These have been in the forms of inter and intra-party conflicts, illegal mining activities, hate and inciting speeches at radio stations, land disputes petty crimes and robbery”, Mr. Issahaku emphasized.
The Executive Secretary of the Upper Regional Peace Council, Emmanuel Danyomah who deputize for the Chairman said though there is relative peace in the Region, there are numerous chieftaincy disputes, land and religious conflicts and lately youth uprising and terror threats.
He pointed out that there are more than 20 hotspots in Upper West.
Mr. Danyomah entreated the Regional Coordinating Council to help the Regional Secretariat the Council with an office accommodation conducive for its work.
Among the dignitaries at the event was the President Upper West Regional Queenmothers Association, Hala Kuoru Hajaratu Limann.
Topics treated included explaining the concept of conflict and peace and their benchmarks, Investigating conflicts: Causes, Impacts, Consequences and possible prevention/solutions and Earning and Response Mechanisms and Identification of Hotspots. The engagement was facilitated by Dr. Patrick Osei Kufour.
Story by Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
