By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Baysonde (U/E), June 29, GNA – The National Peace Council has equipped women and youth from three border communities in the Tempane District, with skills and knowledge to serve as peace advocates and contribute to conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts in their communities.
The beneficiaries, drawn from Kongo, Mamburi and Nagaamni, participated in a two-day capacity-building training programme under the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding for Sustainable Development Project.
The project is being implemented by the National Peace Council in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding support from the governments of Denmark, Luxembourgand the Republic of South Korea.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the workshop, Mr Damien Asobayire, the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, said the programme formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community resilience against conflict and violent extremism in border communities.
He explained that the participants were taken through various topics, including conflict management, early warning systems, prevention of violent extremism (PVE), and the role of community members as peace agents.
“We have brought together about 80 participants, mostly women and youth, from Kongo, Mamburi and Nagaamni. These communities share borders with neighbouring countries, and we are equipping them with the skills needed to prevent conflicts and counter violent extremism in their communities,” he said.
Mr Asobayire noted that the initiative was a continuation of similar engagements undertaken in other parts of the region aimed at strengthening grassroots peacebuilding structures.
“After the engagement, we expect them to return to their communities as peace agents. They will identify conflict-related issues within their communities and develop action plans on how to help manage and resolve those issues within their capacities,” he stated.
Mr Asobayire further urged participants to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities and early warning signs that could threaten peace and security in their communities.
He emphasised that the focus on women and youth was informed by their critical roles in conflict dynamics and peacebuilding processes.
“From our engagements, we have realised that women are often the most affected when conflicts occur, while the youth are sometimes the perpetrators. Therefore, it is important to involve both groups in peacebuilding interventions to ensure lasting peace and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Mr David Atualing Angaamba, the Upper East Regional Principal Programmes Manager at the National Peace Council, encouraged the participants to serve as ambassadors of peace in their communities and promote dialogue as a means of resolving disputes.
He noted that most of the youth were vulnerable and desirous of material things but urged them to exercise restraint in their pursuit of such things and resist attempts by violent extremist groups to lure them with false promises and material incentives.
Mr Angaamba stressed the need for community members, particularly women and youth, to remain vigilant and support efforts by security agencies and peace actors to safeguard peace and stability in the region.
Ms Paulina Akwaku, a participant from Nagaamni, noted that there was nothing more important than championing peace and said she would become a peace ambassador.
“I have learned a lot from the training and I think there is nothing more important than working for the peace of your community. I will henceforth be a peace advocate in my community,” she stated.
Mr Karim Kombat, another participant, said he was inspired to become an advocate for peace in his community and pledged to work towards resolving minor disputes within his community.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/ Christabel Addo
June 29, 2026
Writer: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Writer’s email: [email protected]