Accra, Dec. 4, GNA – World Vision Ghana (WVG), a Christian humanitarian organisation, has organised a peace-building workshop for Islamic religious leaders and community stakeholders ahead of the December 7 elections.
The workshop was aimed at promoting peace, conflict resolution, and violence prevention in the context of the upcoming 2024 General election.
Participants for the workshop included representatives from the Federation of Muslim Councils, the Ghana Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, and the Office of the National Chief Imam.
Reverend Benjamin Sarbah, Faith and Development Manager at WVG, said the workshop was aimed at promoting peace and empowering communities through deeper understanding of beliefs, values, and perceptions, in harmony with peacebuilding efforts.
Rev. Sarbah’s introductory words established the tone for the session, expressing gratitude for their dedication to the road of peace.
Participants presented their thoughts, defining peace as a state of harmony, mutual respect, fairness, and a lack of fear.
According to Rev. Sarbah, the various meanings by the Islamic leaders produced a rich tapestry of understanding, underlining that peace is more than just the absence of violence; it also includes cooperation, tolerance, and social well-being.
“The workshop led to deep reflections on forgiveness and how ego and self-centeredness often fuel conflicts. It was evident that in the context of the upcoming elections, understanding these aspects of peace would be vital in preventing violence.
“The exercise highlighted the role of religious leaders as mediators, peacemakers, and role models who could lead the charge in addressing these underlying tensions.
“Practical tools for conflict resolution were introduced, such as active listening, negotiation, and mediation. These tools equipped participants with concrete strategies to apply in their communities,” said Rev. Sarbah.
Participants also practiced neutral mediation and creating safe spaces for open dialogue as the Islamic leaders recognised the impact of skills learnt in reducing conflict.
The workshop also allowed Islamic clerics to also incorporate their scriptural teachings, drawing from the Quran to emphasise the importance of justice, forgiveness, and thorough investigation before passing judgement.
An integral part of the workshop was the integration of the Empowered World View (EWV) framework, which is rooted in understanding how beliefs and values shape behaviour.
Participants explored the pillars of the Empowered World View: identity, vision, compassion, relationships, and faith in action. These principles were framed as tools for fostering not only peace but also community empowerment.
Through discussions, participants came to understand how a collective vision of a peaceful, just empowering communities could nurture society to take ownership of their own future.
The participants were deeply moved by success stories shared by their peers. These stories, drawn from projects inspired by the EWV framework, demonstrated the tangible impact of empowerment on peacebuilding.
Participants also pledged their commitment to fostering peace in the communities by preaching messages of peace, unity, and tolerance in the lead-up to the elections.
As the workshop ended, the atmosphere was one of hope and resolve. The religious leaders and community stakeholders left the event with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared commitment to preventing violence and fostering peace.
The tools, knowledge, and strategies they had gained were not just theoretical—they were practical steps that could be applied in their communities to make a real difference.
The integration of the EWV model into the peacebuilding efforts ensured that the participants were equipped not only to prevent violence but to promote long-term, sustainable peace through community empowerment.
The workshop marked the beginning of a journey, one where religious leader would stand at the forefront, using their pulpits and their influence to preach peace, resolve conflicts, and guide their communities toward a peaceful and just society.
As the national elections approach, the workshop created a solid framework for stakeholder collaboration, ensuring that the message of unity, justice, and peace reaches a broad audience.
GNA