The Eastern Regional Peace Council has inaugurated and conducted a training session for a new cohort of Peace Desk Officers from nine districts to safeguard peaceful conduct of the December 7 elections.
The officers were tasked to create and promote a harmonious environment by acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to effectively tackle potential conflicts, particularly in preparation for this year’s general elections and in the future.
With tensions often arising during elections, the Peace Council emphasises the importance of presenting a united front and respecting cultural, social, and political diversity to uphold Ghana’s longstanding democratic values and protect citizens’ rights.
Prof. Mark Boadu, Chairperson of the Eastern Regional Peace Council, addressed the participants on the theme “Sustaining Peace through Grassroots Engagements: The Role of Peace Desk Officers,” reminding them to prioritise peace above everything.
He noted that the nomination of the Peace Desk Officers by their various districts demonstrated a commitment to creating a peaceful environment conducive to sustainable growth and development.
He pointed out that the National Peace Council Act (Act 818) calls for the establishment of district peace councils to work with various grassroots organizations. However, the lack of district offices and desks makes it difficult for the council to cover all districts in the region.
To manage this situation, he said that from 2022, the Eastern Regional Secretariat has implemented plans to create peace desks across the 33 district and municipal assemblies to serve as peace coordinators and liaison officers.
However, two years later, only nine of the 33 districts have responded to this initiative, making it challenging for the council to promptly address issues across the region.
“We call on the remaining districts to promptly respond to the peace desk initiative for effective peace and security work in the region,” he added. He also urged the government to resource the Peace Council to fulfill its mandate.
Prof. Boadu asked, “Why do we wait for violence and its related issues to strike before we commit significant resources to resolve them? The National Peace Council could be strengthened to facilitate and develop mechanisms for conflict prevention, management, and resolution, thereby building sustainable peace in the country.”
He emphasized that the world is marked by growing complexity and diverse challenges, making sustained peace imperative.
He stated, “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, inclusion, and development.”
He also noted that peace cannot be sustained through a top-down approach alone and must be nurtured from the grassroots level, growing within communities, and spreading outward.
Prof. Boadu described Peace Desk Officers as linchpins of grassroots peacebuilding efforts, the eyes, and ears on the ground, and encouraged them to employ dialogue as the foundation for peaceful resolutions.
He reminded them of the potential challenges they might face, such as logistical constraints and limited resources, but urged them to explore opportunities within those challenges and to innovate and strengthen partnerships to nurture peace in their communities.
He called on local assemblies, civil society organizations, and local partners to provide the Peace Desk Officers with the necessary tools, training, and support.
Mr. Prince Albert Koomson, Executive Secretary of the Eastern Regional Peace Council, explained that the training program was crucial in enhancing the officers’ conflict resolution capabilities and community engagement strategies.
He emphasized that their role is to serve as conduits between communities, local authorities, and national peacebuilding frameworks, connecting diverse groups within the community and linking local initiatives to national and international frameworks.
He noted that the officers would often be the first to detect signs of brewing conflict, such as land disputes, political tension, chieftaincy conflicts, and intercommunal discord.
“You are to alert the relevant authorities and work with communities to defuse tensions before they escalate,” he said.
He also encouraged them to use dialogue and be culturally sensitive, neutral, and employ their mediation skills to build trust, de-escalate tensions, and guide communities toward mutually acceptable solutions.
“You must advocate for the inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly women and youth, in peacebuilding processes, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued,” he said.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Ms. Mamata Alhassan Abdulai, Head of Administration at Abuakwa North Municipal Assembly, underscored the necessity of sustainable peace through regular community engagements to prevent conflicts.
“I have learned a lot about my role as a Peace Desk Officer. When I return, I will engage the communities, schools, and especially the youth to inform them about the importance of peace and how it will help us develop in our communities,” she said.
She encouraged respect for one another and diversity.
Mr. Eric Acquah, an engineer and head of the estate unit at Abuakwa North Municipal, noted that as peace officers, they are committed to coordinating peace activities for a harmonious environment.
“I stand by peace and encourage others to do the same. We are one people, one nation: Ghana. Elections are about decisions. Let us vote for our preferred candidates and let peace prevail.”
The peace desk officers were taken through various topics such as promoting community engagements and peacebuilding, early warning systems and conflict detection, election monitoring and observation, electoral processes.
GNA