By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Kadema (U/E), April 09, GNA – The National Peace Council has organised a two-day capacity-building workshop for residents of Kadema in the Upper East Region to strengthen community mechanisms of preventing conflicts and responding to violent extremism.
The training, which formed part of the Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in the Atlantic Corridor Project, is being implemented with funding support from the Embassy of Denmark and the Norwegian government through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Mr Damien Asobayire, the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, said the intervention was designed to equip community members with knowledge and skills to identify and respond to early warning signs of conflict and violent extremism.
He explained that Kadema and its surrounding communities had been identified as potential flashpoints due to certain vulnerabilities, including the influx of people linked to small-scale mining activities.
“In developing this concept, we identified this community as one of the areas at risk, and there was the need for us to come in and build the capacity of the people to respond appropriately,” he said.
Mr Asobayire noted that the training would lead to the establishment of a nine-member Local Peace Committee (LPC), drawn from key stakeholders in the community, including traditional authorities, youth, women, minority groups, persons with disabilities, and representatives of the mining sector.
He said the LPC would serve as a community-based peace infrastructure responsible for promoting dialogue, resolving disputes, and coordinating early warning and response mechanisms.
According to him, the committee would serve a four-year term, in line with the operational guidelines of the Peace Council and would develop action plans tailored to address specific conflict risks within the community.
The participants, numbering 20, were taken through topics such as conflict analysis, conflict dynamics, mediation and negotiation, as well as early warning and early response systems and violent extremism.
The training also sought to promote religious tolerance through interfaith dialogue, enhance the participation of women in peacebuilding processes, and improve trust and information sharing between community members and security agencies.
Mr David Alhassan, a participant, said the training had exposed him to the root causes of conflicts, including jealousy, gossip, and misunderstandings.
“Something small can trigger conflict, and if care is not taken, it will escalate. I have learned that it is important to intervene early when misunderstandings arise to prevent escalation,” he said.
He added: “l will take it upon myself to educate others and mediate disputes within the community.”
Ms Grace Agadem, another participant, commended the Peace Council, noting that continuous education on conflict prevention would help reduce tensions and promote peaceful coexistence.
“If we share what we have learned with others, it will bring peace and unity in our community,” she said.
Mr Mark Atognyade, the Assembly Member for the Kadema Electoral Area, said the training was timely and would have a lasting impact on the community.
“Without peace, nothing meaningful can happen. After this training, we will intensify education on the importance of peace and the consequences of conflict so that development activities can thrive,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah