The National Peace Council, with support from the Embassy of Japan through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has brought together security actors and media practitioners to explore ways of contributing to sustainable peace in Bawku and its environs.
The two-day dialogue, held in Bolgatanga, seeks to strengthen cooperation between the media and security agencies, improve intelligence and security strategies, promote responsible reporting and help rebuild social cohesion and community trust in Bawku.
Speaking at the engagement, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, Dr George Amoh, described the Bawku conflict as one of the most difficult and protracted conflicts Ghana has faced.
“We are here for basically two reasons. The Bawku conflict has been one of the difficult, if not the most difficult, conflicts we have had in this country, Ghana. So the National Peace Council this year decided that we have to do something about these very protracted conflicts in our country,” Dr Amoh said.
He said the media and security agencies have both been cited as contributing to some of the challenges surrounding the conflict, making it necessary to bring the two groups together to identify a common approach to de-escalation and sustainable peace.
“They also mentioned the media as being one of the contributory parties. So, what we told ourselves is that, then let us bring our media and our security together, so that we would find a common path to help them de-escalate, to help them find a sustainable solution to the issues of Bawku,” he said.
Dr Amoh acknowledged the support of the Embassy of Japan and UNDP in implementing the initiative.
“Our friends from Japan, who are here, and our friends from the UNDP, generously came to our support, that they would help us achieve the goals we set for ourselves for Bawku,” he added.
The engagement is expected to improve security and intelligence strategies and enhance the capacity of media practitioners to report responsibly on the Bawku conflict and ongoing peacebuilding efforts.
It also seeks to strengthen mechanisms for rebuilding social cohesion, community trust and resilience as part of efforts towards sustainable peace.
A member of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, described efforts to restore peace as a responsibility that requires commitment from all stakeholders.
“Your names will be written and will go into the annals of history as those who made a very significant contribution towards enhancing the global peace situation. My dear brothers and sisters, I want to add that the journey we are embarking upon is one that orders our conscience and our desire for meaningful survival and purposeful survival,” Sheikh Shaibu said.
Representing the Embassy of Japan in Ghana, Coordinator for Economic Cooperation Izumi Kume said Japan considered its support for the Bawku peace process important and meaningful.
“This is a very important activity, and not only for you, but also for Japan as well. This support for Bawku is important and meaningful for the Embassy of Japan as well,” she said.
Ms Kume explained that discussions on Japan’s support began after the Embassy received a letter from the Office of the President, leading to engagements with UNDP and the National Peace Council on how Japan could contribute to the peace process.
She expressed Japan’s commitment to continuing its cooperation with stakeholders working towards peace in Bawku.
On behalf of Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga, Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive Roland Ayoo thanked the National Peace Council and its partners for the initiative and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace in Bawku.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
