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Tag: Peace

  • Bawku: Chaos erupts during peace ceremony, five students sustain injuries

    Bawku: Chaos erupts during peace ceremony, five students sustain injuries

    A reconciliation event meant to ease tensions between students of Bawku Senior High School and Bawku Technical Institute took a violent turn on Tuesday, February 25, resulting in multiple injuries.

    The gathering, held at Bawku Technical Institute, was organized by school officials in collaboration with the Kpalwega traditional leadership to put an end to ongoing conflicts between the two institutions.

    As part of the peace initiative, the traditional authorities introduced a symbolic ritual—the burial of an okra stick—intended to signify the resolution of hostilities.

    However, what began as a solemn event quickly escalated into chaos when hostilities flared up, leading to students hurling stones at one another. The sudden outbreak of violence left at least five students with serious injuries, while several others sustained minor wounds.

    Officers from the Bawku Divisional Police Command promptly arrived at the scene to contain the situation. The injured were quickly transported to Quality and Vineyard hospitals in Bawku for medical attention.

    Despite the disorder, school authorities and representatives from the Ghana Education Service (GES) proceeded with the symbolic ceremony, ensuring its completion with the participation of the senior prefects from both schools.

  • Without concrete actions to ensure peace, signing peace pact means nothing – Mahama

    Without concrete actions to ensure peace, signing peace pact means nothing – Mahama

    The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has warned that peace pacts ahead of the 2024 elections risk being meaningless without genuine actions to back them.

    Speaking during the signing of a peace pact on Thursday, November 28, Mahama emphasized the importance of trust and sincerity among stakeholders in achieving lasting peace, expressing doubts about the effectiveness of such agreements in the absence of concrete measures.

    “There is reason to be concerned that the signing of this pact, though well-intentioned, could amount to nothing if not followed by concrete actions to guarantee the peace by the stakeholders and government,” he stated.

    Mahama argued that declarations of peace must align with the actions of those in authority, cautioning against hypocrisy and a disconnect between commitments and behavior.

    “It is all well and good for us to commit to peace and recite beautiful platitudes. However, all efforts to build peace before, during, and after the 2024 elections would be futile if mistrust and insincerity persist. Mistrust arises when there is a disconnect between words and actions, compounded by gaslighting from those in authority,” he said.

    Drawing on events from the 2020 general elections and the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, Mahama highlighted instances that undermine confidence in the process.

    “We all recall the appalling spectacle of masked men acting on the orders of operatives of the government, shooting indiscriminately at innocent Ghanaians going about their legitimate electoral activity during that by-election. Some of the victims of that shooting incident remain incapacitated till now,” he recounted.

    He criticized the government’s inaction on the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission, which investigated the Ayawaso West Wuogon incident, stating that this undermines public trust in the government’s commitment to peace.

    “The refusal by the government to act on the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission does not inspire confidence in Ghanaians that the government truly believes in peace,” Mahama said.

    He further condemned the government’s failure to address the killing of eight citizens during the 2020 elections, questioning whether such violence could recur in 2024.

    “The inaction of the government in the face of the murder of the eight of our citizens during the last election casts a shadow of doubt on government commitment to maintain the peace. How are we to believe that such killings would not reoccur?” he asked.

  • Whoever wins the elections isn’t my concern, it’s peace I want – Kennedy Agyapong

    Whoever wins the elections isn’t my concern, it’s peace I want – Kennedy Agyapong

    Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has expressed indifference towards which candidate or party wins the upcoming general elections in December.

    He stressed that preserving national peace is more crucial than any particular candidate taking office, urging Ghanaians not to sacrifice the country’s stability.

    Agyapong shared these remarks with the media on November 7, 2024, after the Speaker indefinitely suspended parliamentary activities.

    “I personally don’t care who wins as long as we have a peaceful country where you can breathe,” he said.

    Commenting on the standoff in Parliament over the majority seats, Kennedy Agyapong cautioned that the current situation could endanger the country’s democracy if left unresolved.

    He expressed his distaste for any chaos that might incite violence and shared his disappointment over the ongoing clash between the NDC and NPP caucuses in Parliament.

    “This is why I don’t preach for war. Otherwise, I would have encouraged what’s going on, but what will be the fate of the country?” he added.

  • Ghana’s peace standing declines to 55th in global ranking; 4th in Africa

    Ghana’s peace standing declines to 55th in global ranking; 4th in Africa

    Ghana’s position on the Global Peace Index (GPI) has seen a notable decline, with the country ranking 55th in 2024 with a score of 1.938, a drop from its 51st place in 2023 and an even more significant fall from 40th in 2022.

    This dip also sees Ghana slipping from its previous position as the second most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa, now ranking 4th in the region, behind Mauritius, Madagascar, and Botswana.

    The GPI, compiled annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), evaluates 163 countries based on three key domains: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarization.

    The report highlighted that in 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa experienced deteriorations in peacefulness across all three domains, with ongoing conflicts spilling across national borders. The index also revealed that 36 out of 44 countries in the region had been involved in at least one external conflict over the past five years.

    Mauritius remains the most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa for the 17th consecutive year, with significant improvements in its Safety and Security domain. In contrast, South Sudan, despite some improvements, remains the least peaceful country in the region. Ethiopia recorded the largest improvement due to a ceasefire agreement in the Tigray region, while Gabon saw the most significant deterioration, primarily due to a military coup that ousted President Ali Bongo in August 2023.

    On a global scale, Iceland remains the most peaceful country with a score of 1.112, followed by Ireland at 1.303. Yemen, with a score of 3.397, continues to rank as the least peaceful nation worldwide.

    The report noted a worrying global trend of declining peace, with 97 countries experiencing deteriorations, compared to only 65 that saw improvements. Political instability, rising conflict-related deaths, and violent demonstrations contributed to this trend.

    In West Africa, Sierra Leone surpassed Ghana in 2023 as the most peaceful nation in the region. The National Peace Council expressed concern over these developments then, calling on Ghanaians to work together to restore peace in the country.

    Eastern Regional Chairman of the National Peace Council, Dr. Mark Boadu, emphasized the severity of Ghana’s fall, stating, “This is a cause for worry, and we must all work hard to bring back the glory.”

    In 2024, Ghana has recorded several violent protests, including the “Enough is Enough” demonstration led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which saw clashes between protestors and security services. The recent Democracy Hub protest against illegal mining activities also resulted in over 40 arrests.

    Globally, the GPI report shows that the world has become less peaceful for the 12th time in the past 16 years. The report noted, however, a stronger commitment to UN peacekeeping efforts, which recorded the most significant improvement among GPI indicators. Despite some positive developments, the Militarization domain saw the largest deterioration, driven by rising military expenditures. Ukraine, Myanmar, and North Macedonia recorded some of the biggest increases in military spending.

    The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, along with continued unrest in other regions, contributed to a decline in global peace, with 85 countries experiencing deterioration in the Ongoing Conflict domain. Meanwhile, the Safety and Security domain was the only one to record an improvement in the past year, with countries like Kazakhstan, Iran, and Uzbekistan seeing a decrease in violent demonstrations.

    GPI-2024-webDownload

  • Ghanaian war hero to document WWII, embarks on global peace initiative

    Ghanaian war hero to document WWII, embarks on global peace initiative

    Ghanaian war hero, Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Joseph Ashitey Hammond, has initiated a global peace campaign through the Joseph Ashitey Hammond Foundation.

    The foundation’s primary objective is to promote peace and reconciliation on a global scale. During a press conference held at the British Council on April 20, 2024, WO1 Joseph Ashitey Hammond shared his profound motivation for advocating peace.

    Having served in the Second World War (WWII) as a teenager, he expressed deep remorse for the violence he witnessed, stating, “After the Second World War fight, I felt my hands were full of blood.”

    This realization has fueled his commitment to advancing peace and understanding among nations. The foundation, through his personal experiences, aims to be a beacon of peace and dialogue.

    One of their key initiatives is the launch of an autobiography detailing WO1 Joseph Ashitey Hammond’s experiences during WWII. The book not only recounts his personal journey but also sheds light on Ghana’s history, highlighting the contributions of its veterans.

    As WO1 Ashitey Hammond approaches his centenary in 2025, his experiences of war and unrest continue to shape his dedication to the Global Peace Initiative.

    The forthcoming autobiography promises to be a compelling memoir, unveiling the untold stories of his wartime experiences in India and Burma.

    “In this compelling narrative, WO1 Hammond not only recounts the gritty details of wartime struggles but opens the door to his personal life, weaving in the threads of peace, love, loss, and resilience.

    “Amidst the chaos of battle, WO1 Hammond’s tale transcends borders, shedding light on Ghana’s fight for independence. This poignant account offers a unique blend of history, personal reflection, and his extraordinary 99-year life.

    “The goal of the book is not only to chronicle the life of the Lionhearted Hero but to also inform and educate on the effects of war as well as propagate the Joseph Ashitey Hammond Foundation’s Global Peace Agenda,” a release said.

    WO1 Hammond has also endured the tragic loss of fellow soldiers in combat and survived the Christiansburg Crossroads Massacre.

    Driven by his passion for promoting global peace, he has introduced the Global Peace Tour. This initiative aims to educate and raise awareness about the devastating effects of war and violence, while inspiring individuals to uphold peace within their communities.

    The launch of the Global Peace Tour was attended by Ghana’s Ambassador to France and Portugal, Anna Bossman, as well as friends, family, and representatives of the Ga Adangbe Traditional Council.

  • Egypt’s president appeals for peace to rivals in Sudan

    Egypt’s president appeals for peace to rivals in Sudan

    President of Egypt Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has pleaded with the warring parties in Sudan to put down their weapons in exchange for peace talks and to allow for the safe delivery of humanitarian goods.

    He listed these as the top two priorities in his opening remarks at a summit on the war taking place in Cairo:

    Firstly, calling on the warring factions to cease escalation and to start without further ado on serious negotiations that aim at reaching an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.

    Quote Message: Secondly, calling on all Sudanese parties to facilitate the passage of humanitarian aid, to provide safe passage to deliver this aid to the areas most in need inside Sudan, and to establish a mechanism to provide needed protection to the humanitarian aid convoys and the staff of the international relief agencies to help them do their jobs.”

    Secondly, calling on all Sudanese parties to facilitate the passage of humanitarian aid, to provide safe passage to deliver this aid to the areas most in need inside Sudan, and to establish a mechanism to provide needed protection to the humanitarian aid convoys and the staff of the international relief agencies to help them do their jobs.”

    Some of Sudan’s neighbors, including South Sudan, Chad, and the Central African Republic, are also present at the summit.

    The conflicting military factions have sent representatives to the summit, although earlier regional and global peace efforts have been unsuccessful.

  • Sierra Leone overtakes Ghana as West Africa’s most peaceful country

    Sierra Leone overtakes Ghana as West Africa’s most peaceful country

    Ghana has lost its status as the most peaceful country in West Africa, according to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI) released last week.

    The country also dropped from the second to the fourth position in Africa, behind Mauritius, Botswana and Sierra Leone.

    The GPI ranks 163 countries, covering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population, based on 23 indicators from reputable sources. These indicators measure the level of safety and security in society, the extent of domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarisation.

    The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council (NPC), Rev. Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, disclosed this at a two-day national dialogue on improving civilian-security agency relations for the prevention of violent extremism in Ghana.

    He said that factors such as armed robbery, attacks on journalists, political violence, land guard menace and public perceptions contributed to the decline in Ghana’s peace score.

    He was speaking at the event held at Prampram in the Greater Accra Region yesterday, which brought together personnel of the Ghana Police Service and representatives from various political parties.

    The event was organised by the NPC and the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and funded by the Netherlands Embassy. It was part of a project named “Prevention of violent extremism through social accountability (PoVETSA)”.

    Enhancing trust

    Rev. Dr Adu-Gyamfi stressed the need to enhance trust and confidence between the security agencies and the civilian population to prevent extremism and promote understanding and tolerance in the country, especially ahead of the 2024 general election.

    He said that since 2020, the NPC had undertaken several programmes to build resilience against terrorism and violent extremism. These included engaging more than 100 student leaders across the country, training more than 400 youths in all the regions and reaching out to more than 200 fisherfolk and commercial drivers on ways to prevent the insurgents from infiltrating the country.

    He also expressed concern about protracted chieftaincy conflicts and unresolved disputes within and between political parties, which he said could create opportunities for violence and extremism.

    “Other unresolved conflicts, including intra and inter-party elections at all levels, must be holistically dealt with so that they do not serve as motivation for violence and provide impetus for aggrieved individuals to use unlawful means to seek revenge,” he added.

    Challenges

    The Country Representative of CRS, Daniel Mumuni, said there had been instances where trust between political parties and security agencies in the country had been strained, leading to a sense of apprehension within the society.

    He said such situations endangered democratic processes and undermined national development. He added that establishing a vibrant peace-building infrastructure would strengthen partnerships and promote inclusive and participatory governance.

    The Tema Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Daniel Kwame Afriyie, said his outfit had embarked on a transformation agenda to position itself as a world-class institution.

    He said this was being done through engaging various stakeholders in communities to ensure law and order prevailed.

  • Ghana is no more a peaceful country – Report

    Ghana is no more a peaceful country – Report

    In the most recent Global Peace Index, published on June 28, 2023, Sierra Leone surpassed Ghana as the most peaceful country in West Africa.

    Ghana has also dropped from second to fourth place in Africa in the 2022 index this year.

    Commenting on the current index, Rev Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council (NPC), said the development calls for additional action because the fall is not healthy for Ghana.

    He was addressing during a two-day national dialogue in Prampram on Tuesday, July 12, 2023, on Improving civilian-security agency interactions for the prevention of violent extremism in Ghana.

    The 17th edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) from the international think-tank, the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), indicated that conflict deaths at the greatest level this century are causing world peace to fall.

    The national dialogue was organized by the NPC and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with funding from the Netherlands Embassy with the goal of strategically building consensus and trust to improve civilian-security agency relations in Ghana in order to prevent violent extremism through the Prevention of Violent Extremism Through Social Accountability (PoVETSA) project.

    Security services, including the Ghana Police Service, as well as officials from several political parties, attended the meeting.

  • Cyril Ramaphosa ‘safe’ despite delays for security team

    Cyril Ramaphosa ‘safe’ despite delays for security team

    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s safety has not been jeopardized, according to his spokeswoman, who had to fly to Ukraine without members of his security detail since they were stranded on an aircraft in Poland.

    According to the Polish Border Guard, the South Africans did not have the correct paperwork for their weapons.

    Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the row was “regrettable” and efforts were being made to ensure those on the aircraft could proceed “to cover at least the Russian leg” of the trip.

    But in a tweet, he said the president had arrived safely by train, along with other heads of state from Africa that are part of the peace talks.

  • Bawku residents urged to pursue peace

    Bawku residents urged to pursue peace

    The Head of the “Bissa Tribe” otherwise known as “Busanga” in the Ashanti Region, Osman Suallah Tanko, has advised the people of Bawku to give peace a chance for once to accelerate development in the area.

    He said the only way to accelerate development of the town by attracting investors to the area was to ensure absolute peace in Bawku and its environs.

    Speaking at the 45th anniversary on his enskinment as the Head of the Bissa community in Ashanti region, Alhaji Tanko said the protracted ethic misunderstanding in Bawku was retarding development in the area.

    He said it was about time the people lived in harmony, buried their differences and gave lasting peace a chance as one people with a common destiny.

    He applauded the Bissa community in the Ashanti region for the peaceful co-existence existing between them and other tribes and urged them to stay away from violence and other social vices that could potentially disturb the peace in their localities.

    Alhaji Tanko recounted numerous achievements over the years under his leadership, prominent among them was the formation of “Zuleka,” an initiative that promotes peace.

    He also spoke about the support given to many young people to further their education, saying that it was the way to build the human resource base of the country.

  • Ghana, a model of democracy and stability in Africa –Akufo-Addo

    Ghana, a model of democracy and stability in Africa –Akufo-Addo

    Ghana’s president Akufo-Addo has praised the country for adopting democracy as a system of government.

    In a national address on Friday in honor of the 4th Republic’s 30th anniversary, the president declared that Ghana “is a beacon of democracy and stability in Africa.”

    He stated that we have been able to oversee eight presidential elections in the Fourth Republic because we uphold the values of democratic accountability, human rights, and the rule of law.

    He also said that democracy has helped in “five presidential transitions, and three peaceful transfers of power, through the ballot box, from one party to another.”

    He further stated that “the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the 4th Republic should inspire us, even further, to hold on to this status.”

    “Tomorrow, Saturday, 7th January 2023, will be exactly 30 years since the Constitution of the 4th Republic came into force, with the inauguration into office of the first President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency the late Jerry John Rawlings.

    “It has inspired the longest period of stable constitutional governance in our history, with a consensus emerging strongly that the democratic form of governance is preferable, and the benefits are showing. Hence the decision to celebrate 7th January as Constitution Day,” he added.

  • I paid attention to your disrespect and I turned it into peace

    My circle seems to be getting smaller as I get older.
    I’ve learnt to be pickier about who I voluntarily choose to spend time with and open up to about my life.

    But I wasn’t always this way. I wasn’t always looking for peace.

    I shared this post on Facebook that reads:

    “I paid attention when I didn’t get the invite.

    I paid attention when I didn’t get a thank you.

    I paid attention when I didn’t get the apology.

    I paid attention when a room would go silent when I entered.

    I paid attention when folks believed lies about me and never asked me.

    I paid attention when they didn’t show up for me.

    I paid attention when my important life events didn’t even get a congratulatory phone call or text.

    I paid attention to the disrespect and yes I took it personally.”

    And this post spoke volumes to me.

    For the longest time, I took things personally. When I would see friends on Instagram hanging out without me, if I saw there was a big event that I didn’t get the invite to, or if people didn’t show up for me when I would be there for them, I would become upset.

    It would make me feel invisible and wonder why I put time into the relationships around me.

    I would sit there wondering, “Why didn’t they ask me to come? Am I not cool enough to be invited? Am I not memorable?”

    I remember last year venting to my best friend when a group of classmates that I worked with closely made plans in front of me to get dinner and didn’t think to ask me if I wanted to come. People I spent so much time working with, and they excluded me.

    I didn’t want to go, and couldn’t have gone if I wanted to, but that’s not the point. The point is I sat there in the room listening to these people make plans right in front of me, and they didn’t think once to extend the offer for me to come.

    When you do that to someone, that stings, whether you mean for it to or not. It’s a slap in the face, and it truly makes you wonder if you mean anything to the people you see on a daily basis.

    As time has gone on and I’ve drifted away from people, I’ve begun to realize how much I simply don’t care anymore.

    If I see people I care about hanging out without me, I look at the photo for a second, then keep scrolling.

    So what? They didn’t ask me to come. What do I care?

    I’ve learned that the only person you need to worry about liking you is yourself.

    Don’t get me wrong. I have my people, they know who they are. They’re the ones I know will always be there for me when I need them. But sometimes, you’re just better off riding solo than being with people who just don’t give a s***.

    It gets lonely sometimes, but I’d rather be on my own, at peace, than be with people who I know don’t care.

    Peace is expensive, but it’s worth it.

    To those in my group — the ones who will never let me down — thank you. You mean more to me than you’ll ever know.

    And to the ones who claim they care, remember that when you don’t show up and remember people do the same for you.

    Source: Your Tango

  • Peace Council to intervene in Organised Labour, governmnet stalemate over 2023 base pay

    GBC News has learnt that the National Peace Council is taking steps towards resolving the various disagreements between the government and organized labour amicably in the current rising tensions among worker unions in the country.

    The Council has already engaged with the labour unions to get them to reach an agreement with the government in the matter of the ongoing new Base Pay for public sector employees on the Single Spine Structure for 2023, the negotiation of which has stalled following a breakdown in the discussions.

    The Executive Secretary at the Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the Peace Council, Reverend Emmanuel Badu Amoah, made this known to GBC News.

    The intervention by the Peace Council, according to the Executive Secretary, is pursuant to the Council’s mandate to pre-empt for resolution as well as amicable management of potential or real conflict that could disturb the general peace, safety, security and stability of the country.

    Touching on the recently announced government’s policy of the Debt Exchange Programme which has since ruffled feathers among the labour movement and other interested parties, Reverend Badu Amoah, assured that, the Council is not losing its guard in that matter and that there is an urgent need for all parties to appreciate the concerns of each other in the ultimate national interest.

  • Boyé Gôh, the Ivorian festival seeking to promote peace and tourism

     

    This is Boyé Gôh, the first edition of a cultural festival in Guiglo, Ivory Coast.

    The event celebrates the culture of Wés, a people living across western Ivory Coast and neighbouring Liberia.

    Wés speak their own languages, and include numerous subgroups like Bété, Nyabwa, and Guéré.

    They are believed to have been living in the region since the 13th century.

    Boyé Gôh is a way to showcase the traditions, crafts and culture, promote peace and tourism, according to the organisers.

    Wés are known for wearing traditional masks called Glaes.

    “The Glaes are a secret society, they are spirits, they are our cultural values, and when we do events they have to come out,” says Félix Le Kpahi Dehe, organiser.

    “Their outings make it a craze in everything we do. And after them it’s joy and prosperity in the families, that’s why we love the Glaes very much.”

    And attendees are enjoying this live cultural display.

    “I think it is a very beautiful culture, I myself am from the region, I am Wé,” says Doué Sedjem Bon, former public servant.

    “I think it is interesting to meet very often, so that we can get back into our habits and customs. I take my hat off to the organisers, so that this festival can be perpetuated.”

     

    Source: African News

  • Zimbabwe: President calls for peace ahead of general elections

    On Wednesday (Nov 23), Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe.

    He delivered his State of the Nation address in a newly built Parliament. The multimillion-dollar building was gifted by the Asian economic giant China.

    Mnangagwa called for peace as the country prepares for general elections.

    “Political players seeking the people’s mandate during the upcoming 2023 harmonized general elections must maintain and consolidate the current peace, unity, harmony, and love that we have built.”

    In late October, Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF, endorsed the president as the sole party candidate ahead of next year’s polls.

    80-year-old, Emmerson Mnangagwa, came to power in 2017 after toppling long-time ruler Robert Mugabe in a coup backed by the army.

    Speaking before lawmakers, Mnangagwa also reiterated calls for an end to economic sanctions.

    “The need for the unconditional removal of sanctions which have constrained socio-economic growth for decades remains urgent and imperative,” he pleaded.

    The UN Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights issued a report in October recommending: the “lifting unilateral sanctions in line with the principles of international law”.

    As well as “avoiding de-risking policies and over compliance in accordance with the due diligence rule; and engaging in meaningful structured discussions on political reform, the rule of law and human rights.”

     

    Source: African News

  • Ethiopia, Tigray rebels ink peace deal in South Africa after AU-led talks

    Hanna Tetteh, one-time Minister of Foreign Affairs was part of the high-profile team that mediated peace between Ethiopia’s federal government and rebels in the northern Tigray region.

    Talks ended in South Africa on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at African Union-led talks led by former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and AU mediator, Olusegun Obasanjo, the former Nigerian president.

    “Life is a gift to be cherished,” Madam Tetteh, who is UN Under Secretary General & Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, was quoted to have said after the agreement was signed.

    The deal was reached almost two years to the day that conflict broke out in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, a permanent cessation of hostilities is signed between the two sides was hosted by the South African government.

    Analysts are now keeping an eye on how the implementation phase of the deal will play out.

    Hanna Tetteh has previously served at Special Rep of UN Chief at the UN Office to the AU – between 2019 and 2022. She was Foreign Minister under the John Dramani Mahama government that spanned Jan 2013 -Jan 2017.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • ‘Be neutral and choose the path to peace’ – Traditional leaders urged

    Dr Gerald Dapaah Gyamfi, Director in charge of Otumfuo Centre for Traditional Leadership (OCTL), University of Professional Studies (UPSA), has told traditional leaders to be neutral and choose the path to peace to promote unity and development.

    “You are the spokespersons for your subjects and your communication pathway can enhance the development of your community or create chaos if not well communicated,” he said.

    Dr Gyamfi said this at the closing ceremony of a five-day workshop organised for Chiefs, Staffs of Traditional Councils and Regional House of Chiefs at the Centre, in Accra.

    He said being neutral and peace conscious would reshape the chiefs to remain the greatest catalyst to create new opportunities for growth of their communities.

    He stated that there were numerous challenges facing the chieftaincy institution due to advancement in technology and globalisation, therefore chiefs should be mindful of the traditional world that they pass on to the future generation.

    Dr Gyamfi said the workshop had empowered them with the necessary knowledge to create perfect pathways for development despite the challenges.

    He said over 50 participants attended the workshop and since its inception, 410 chiefs and traditional leaders had participated and had been impacted positively.

    The Director said the Centre sought to enhance the role of chieftaincy as an instrument of social cohesion and stability in the development of the country and called on philanthropists, NGOs, institutions and individuals to support the Centre with financial aid.

    Professor Abednego F. O. Amartey, Vice Chancellor, UPSA, said traditional leaders were primary agents of change and development and were also seen as the representatives of the community, therefore it was their duty to harmonise the community with customs and traditions.

    He said the ultimate goal for the workshop was to enable the chiefs to formalise their processes and documentations to collate evidence of issues and challenges, tackle them across the learning and sharing process in their communities.

    “I hope the knowledge and insight acquired through the workshop would be beneficial throughout your leadership,” he emphasised.

    The Chancellor commended the chiefs for their efforts and commitment to be agents of change and development within their jurisdiction.

    Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, Chairperson for the ceremony, said the world was constantly evolving as well as expectations of the people in the communities, hence the need for leaders to strive to put themselves in better positions to help address modern challenges in their communities.

    He said it was a good initiative that the Centre had provided the platform to train leaders to bring development and growth to their communities.

    Odeefuo Buadu VIII said in the quest to address modern challenges, traditional leaders should not lose track of the tradition and culture.

    “As custodians of the tradition and culture, you must ensure that the descendants of Africans in the diaspora remain attracted to Ghana.”

    Source: GNA

  • NYA calls on youth to preserve the peace

    The National Youth Authority (NYA) has held a Peace Concert in the Sunyani Municipality to drum home the need to preserve the peace, especially by the youth, before, during and after the General Election.

    The event, christened: “Candle Light Vigil,” held at the Sunyani main Taxi Rank, was also to commemorate the African Youth Day and promote unity and cohesion for national development.

    It was attended by professional scouts, police personnel, people with disability, fun clubs, and youth groups.

    Madam Fati Bamba, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Director of the NYA, advised the youth to channel their exuberances into productive ventures and ignore politicians who would want to use them to foment trouble.

    Madam Bamba said peace remained a prerequisite for accelerated development and called on the youth to avoid tendencies with the potential to trigger violence and disturb the peace.

    Mr Bernard Oduro Takyi, an Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Sunyani West, described peace as priceless and urged the youth to expose politicians who would entice them to cause mayhem in the election.

    Alhaji Suallah Abdallah, the Bono Regional Secretary of the National Peace Council, said political opponents were not enemies, hence the need for the youth to be decorous in the electioneering for peace to prevail.

    Source: GNA

  • We cannot sacrifice Ghana’s peace on political rhetorics – Prince Mba

    Prince Bagnaba Mba, President of the Forum for National Equity has called on all political actors to give the Electoral Commission the chance to carry out its mandate to deepen Ghana’s democracy.

    “I have observed that the issue of compilation of the new voter’s register has generated unnecessary threats of violence and mayhem from political interest groups and wish to remind Ghanaians that the corporate peaceful Ghana cannot be sacrificed on political rhetoric.”

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an exclusive interview in Accra on Sunday, Mr Mba said the Electoral Commission was the constitutional body mandated to conduct peaceful elections and it was only fair to give them the free hand to carry out that mandate.

    He said the voter’s register was the main key to the door of democracy and it was not only illegal, but also criminal to use a faulty key to open the main gate. “We have come a long way as pacesetters in Africa, when it comes to democratic governance and this enviable height we have achieved comes with a price of sacrificial responsibility.”

    Mr Mba called on political parties to rather be concerned with the mobilization of their supporters and members to register massively to ensure transparent conduct of elections, and not to spend their energies on issues that could hamper the country’s democracy.

    “Foundation building is the basic determinant of the strength of any institution. It’s interesting how the political parties are behaving, like fighting an unnecessary war over which side of the egg should be broken. Lack of sincerity and party first, nation last politics is nothing but populism.”

    Mr Mba said there were always excuses to justify actions, but for the common good of all, “we call for maximum cooperation with the Electoral Commission in the spirit of goodwill and commitment to the promotion of democracy.”

    He said the coronavirus had hampered everything globally and there was therefore little time for planning and should not be spent on unnecessary arguments.

    Source: GNA