Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the sustenance of peace and security lie on the shoulders of governments and Civil Society Organisations, CSOs.
To this end, he has asked CSOs to deepen collaboration with governments in the West-African Sub region to consolidate gains made over the years in maintaining peace and security.
Vice President Bawumia made these remarks when he addressed participants at the 20th anniversary celebration of the West Africa Network for Peace Building, WANEP in Accra. He also called on ECOWAS member states to create a fund that will support CSOs. Sustainable Development Goal 16 drums home the need to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to find a lasting solution to conflict and insecurity around the globe.
WANEP with this goal in mind has over the past twenty years, played a pivotal role in ensuring peace and security in West Africa, emerging as a credible institution with the technical know-how and best practice in conflict management, resolution and transformation.
The Executive Director of WANEP, Dr Chukuemeka Eze noted that the twentieth anniversary is an occasion for WANEP to reflect on the past and chart a new path for the future.
The Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Ibn Chambas also applauded the efforts of WANEP in peace building and prevention of conflicts.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia speaking on the, “Future of Peace and Security in Democratic Societies, the Complimentary Roles of CSOs”, said WANEP has demonstrated an excellent role in ensuring peace and security in West Africa stressing that the network partnership with ECOWAS has helped in the creation of an avenue to influence policies and to end violence and threats in various countries across the region.
He noted that despite efforts made, the lack of trust among governments and CSOs have hindered progress hence the need to deepen collaboration.
The West Africa Network for Peace building, WANEP, was established in January 1999 to promote the culture of peace, strengthen the capacity of peace building practitioners and institutions, and develop conflict prevention networks and mechanisms among others.
