Women of Sirigu in the Kassena-Nankana West District have demonstrated their love for peace by matching on the principal streets of the community to preach on the need to maintain peace.
In recognition of the role the paramount chief of Sirigu, Naba Roland Atogumdeya Akwara III is playing to unite the people of Sirigu, the women pledged unflinching support to the chief in maintaining peace in the community.
They sang different peace songs and matched to the palace of the chief to present a statement to indicate their readiness to maintain peace in their homes, the community, and neighboring communities.
While admonishing the youth to maintain peace in the community, the women said children and women who are the most vulnerable, suffer most in the event of any conflict.
“As women, we are more concerned about peace for various reasons. Women are victims of gender-based violence and violence against women continues to destroy the lives of women and girls in our community. Women also suffer from poverty and discrimination which often worsens in conflict situations. Therefore, peace is important for the promotion of gender equality and women’s rights.”
The women who were drawn from all the 5 sections of Sirigu said the country’s quest to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 can only be realized when women are given equal opportunity and participation.
The peace walk was facilitated by the Sirigu Women’s Organization for Pottery and Arts (SWOPA) and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) through a year project known as ‘Harnessing women’s potential in conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Kassena-Nankana West District through sensitization and advocacy’.
The historic women-led peace walk at Sirigu witnessed the coronation of Madam Philomena Aminzia, a retired educationist as a Peace Queen (Sumaasum Pognaba). She is the first queen-mother enskinned by Naba Atogumdeya III since he became a chief more than 6 years now.
On behalf of the women of Sirigu, the queen-mother made a clarion call on skins within the region with disputes, to resort for peaceful and legal means to address the disputes.
The Sirigu women also called on the chief to partner with other chiefs and eminent personalities in the region to resolve the Kandiga-Doba conflict.
The paramount chief of Sirigu commended the women for the bold step taken to contribute their quota in maintaining peace in the community and beyond. According to Naba Atogumdeya III, he has always partnered with women in all decision-making towards the development of the community.
Speaking on the Kandiga-Doba conflict, the chief lamented that the scuffle has led to the loss of lives and properties of the two communities including neighbouring communities like Sirigu.
“Already I am in talks with the paramount chiefs of Mirigu and Navrongo and at the right time, we hope to invite the two factions and plead with them to cease the conflict. We [residents of Sirigu] cannot say we are not part of the conflict, because, we suffer its consequences. The major route to Bolgatanga-the regional capital through Zorkor has been cut off due to the collapse of a bridge. The next route is through Kandiga but there is a curfew there. The only alternative route is through Paga which is far from Bolga. You can imagine the outcome in case of emergency like transporting a sick relative to Bolga, especially at night. Though we are not part of the conflict zone, we are suffering from its consequences,” he bemoaned.
Naba Atogumdeya III while commending SWOPA and CFLI for funding and facilitating the activities of the women in peace promotion, called on the two organizations to extend the initiative to communities with conflicts, especially Kandiga and Doba.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Ghana
