The National Peace Council has called on community leaders to unite in managing, resolving, and preventing local conflicts. This effort aims to curb the spread of violent extremism.
Ali Anankpieng, Executive Secretary of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, emphasized the danger of unresolved conflicts. Issues such as chieftaincy disputes, land disputes, and farmer-herder tensions can create fertile ground for violent extremists.
Anankpieng stressed the need for family heads, traditional and religious leaders, opinion leaders, and Assembly members to collaborate in resolving conflicts. He spoke to the Ghana News Agency during a stakeholder engagement in Bongo. The event, organized by the National Peace Council, is part of the “Enhancing Social Cohesion and Social Contract through Empowering Women and Youth in Northern Ghana” project.
This project, implemented in Bongo, Bawku West, and Garu Districts, is funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund through the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). The forum brought together traditional and religious leaders, Assembly members, women and youth leaders, security services, and state institutions from Namoo, Feo, and Soe communities.
Participants received training in conflict management and resolution skills. They also learned techniques to detect violent extremism and political vigilantism. The goal is to equip stakeholders with the tools to resolve and prevent conflicts and violent extremism.
Anankpieng highlighted that greed, discrimination, and unfair treatment against minority groups are major causes of localized conflicts. He underscored the importance of fighting such abuses to promote social cohesion. “You need to be vigilant about violent extremism. Report suspicious activities to security services. This election year, unify and demand your rights from political parties,” he said.
Janet Dedei Sarney-Kuma, Director of Capacity Development and Outreach at the National Peace Council, noted that the project aims to build community resilience in managing conflicts. This effort is crucial to preventing violence and enhancing development in Northern Ghana.
Alice Ndego, Bongo District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, said the project is timely as the country approaches general elections. She advised participants to share their knowledge with their communities to achieve the project’s objectives.
Pognaba Felicia Agampoka, the Divisional Queen Mother of the Feo community, praised the National Peace Council and its partners for their efforts. She said the training has enhanced their skills to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings as traditional leaders.
This initiative seeks to strengthen social cohesion and prevent the spillover of violent extremism into local communities. By empowering women and youth and fostering collaboration among community leaders, the project aims to create a safer and more stable environment.
Source: Ghana Web
