10 years of peace in Alavanyo, Nkonya: Guardians of Peace Awards 2024 held

Nkonya, Nov. 10, GNA – The Guardians of Peace Award 2024 has been held to honour the Chiefs and People of Alavanyo and Nkonya, who collaborated with the Youth for Peace and Security in Africa (YPS-Africa) and Citizens Network for Peace and Security in Africa (CNPSA) for the attainment of peace. 

Mr. Abraham Korbla Klutsey, a Peace and Security Advocate, and the Executive Director of YPS-Africa and CNPSA explained that the Guardians of Peace Awards 2024 was organised to recognise and appreciate the sacrifice of all those who played critical roles in the peacebuilding initiative. 

He said the hard work, resilience, and dedication of individuals, opinion leaders, and religious and traditional leaders who played pivotal roles in the YPS-Africa youth-led peacebuilding project in Alavanyo and Nkonya from 2013 to 2014, which helped transform a century-old bloody conflict into a story of hope and reconciliation, was acknowledged. 

He said 10 years of sustainable peace and development in Alavanyo and Nkonya climaxed with the “Guardians of Peace Awards 2024,” which was held at the Palace of the Paramount Chief, Nanayin Okotor Kwame Tegyi II, at Nkonya on November 6.  

The YPS-Africa led and played an instrumental role, which eventually resulted in sustainable peace since 2014 in the once violent and bloody Alavanyo and Nkonya conflict. 

Among those recognized were the late paramount chief, Nana Otorkor Kofi III; the late Regent of Tayi-Nkonya, Mr. Yaw Elletey; and the new Paramount Chief of Nkonya, Nanayin Okotor Kwame Tegyi II. 

Others were sub-chiefs, youth leaders, former members of armed groups, and family members who lost loved ones to the conflict.  

“We also paid tribute to those who served the cause of peace during the project but are no longer with us,” Mr. Klustey stated.  

He explained through the initiative, “we nurture the local resilience built against the resurgence of the violent conflict and clashes, encourage the youth to guard the peace in the community, and discourage the youth from forming or joining armed groups in the community. 

“We also put in measures to attract and encourage developmental organizations to the communities to help in education, health, and other social help.” 

Mr. Klustey said the effort at peacebuilding, the transformative journey, and the youth-led approach have been chronicled in the book “Peacebuilding at the Edge of Death.”  

He said the book tells the full story of YPS-Africa’s work, sharing insights into how youth engagement and community collaboration can heal even the most longstanding conflicts. 

GNA