The Upper East Region is not characterised by the highest number of conflicts in the country. However, the Upper East Regional Peace Council has expressed concern about the extremely violent nature of the conflicts in the area.
During a roundtable discussion organised by A1 Radio, a subsidiary of Agreed Best Communication Limited, and supported by Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Office (NABOCADO), the Regional Executive Secretary of the Peace Council, Ali Anankpieng, spoke about the devastating effects of the violent pockets of conflicts.
Mr. Anankpieng noted that “If you look at the Upper East Region, it is not in the best of places as far as conflict is concerned. We do not have the largest number of conflicts, but we have the most violent as far as the nation is concerned. You look at Bawku and Doba-Kandiga. What is happening in Bawku is something that worries everybody in the country. You look at the whole country, and there are conflicts everywhere, and even in some areas, the conflicts, in terms of numbers, may be three or four times more than what we have in the region, but the problem here is the violent nature of what we have.”
To manage the conflicts and bring peace, the Peace Council has collaborated with many organisations “to see how we can reduce the tensions in the violent conflicts, especially in Doba-Kandiga, Bawku, and other places.”
The Peace Council has also started to concern itself with the growing threat of violent extremists emerging from the Sahel.
“We believe that what is happening has an effect as far as violent extremism is concerned. One of the things with violent extremism is people exploiting existing conflicts in communities. So we are not looking at them as unrelated. We need to approach them in the same manner to prevent them or reduce their impacts.”
Meanwhile, the role of the Paramount Chief of Sirigu, Naba Roland Akwara III, in mediating and leading the peace efforts between the feuding communities of Doba and Kandiga has been commended by the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary of the Peace Council, Ali Anankpieng.
“We want to commend the Sirigu Naaba for the work he did in managing the peace in the Doba-Kandiga conflict,” he said.
It would be recalled that in August of last year, the chiefs of Doba and Kandiga both pledged to allow peace to prevail in their communities after years of protracted conflict that has claimed lives and destroyed properties.
Background
A1 Radio, a subsidiary of Agreed Best Communication Limited, recently partnered with the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Office (NABOCADO) to organise a peace building and conflict management roundtable discussion in Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region. The aim of the event was to provide a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences and discuss strategies for mitigating the pockets of conflicts in the region.
During the roundtable discussion, the Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Abubakari Inusah, emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence in the region and called on all stakeholders to work towards achieving this goal. The Regional Director for the Upper East Regional Commission for Civic Education, Mawuli Agbenu, also highlighted the need for continuous education and sensitization of the public on the roles they can play in promoting peace and resolving conflicts.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including the Regional Chairman for the Peace Council, Alhaji Sumaila Issaka, and the Executive Secretary of the Peace Council, Ali Anankpieng. Theophilus Abolga, the representative from NABOCADO, also attended the discussion, along with traditional leaders such as the Paramount Chief of Sirigu, Naba Roland Akwara III, and the Chief of Kotintaabig, Naba Bilheesong Langwaht. IT Expert and CEO of Norgence, Albert Naa, also participated in the event.
The peace building and conflict management roundtable discussion was a collaborative effort between A1 Radio and NABOCADO, aimed at fostering peace and stability in the Upper East Region. The event was well-attended and received positive feedback from participants, who lauded the organisers for their efforts in promoting peaceful coexistence in the region.
The roundtable discussion was moderated by A1 Radio’s Mark Smith.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
