By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Nagaamni (U/E), July 2, GNA – The National Peace Council has urged women and youth to become active promoters of peace and security in their communities by helping to prevent conflicts and resist the influence of violent extremist groups.
The call was made during a two-day capacity-building training programme for 40 women and youth drawn from Nagaamni and Mambure, two border communities in the Tempane District.
The training formed part of the Governance, Rule of Law and Peacebuilding for Sustainable Development Project, being implemented by the National Peace Council in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding support from the governments of Denmark, Luxembourg and the Republic of South Korea.
Speaking at the training at Nagaami, Mr Damien Asobayire, the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, said the initiative was aimed at empowering women and youth to become peace agents capable of identifying and responding to conflict situations within their communities.
He explained that participants were taken through topics, including conflict prevention, early warning and response mechanisms, prevention of violent extremism, and the role of community members in sustaining peace.
According to him, the participants would develop community action plans to address conflict-related issues and support efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
“We expect them to return home as actors of peace, identify early signs of conflict, and work with community leaders, security agencies and the Peace Council to address them before they escalate,” he said.
Mr Asobayire said border communities required targeted peacebuilding interventions because of their vulnerability to cross-border insecurity and extremist activities, adding that women and youth had critical roles to play in protecting their families and communities.
Mr David Atualing Angaamba, Principal Programmes Manager at the National Peace Council, urged the participants to become ambassadors of peace and promote dialogue as the preferred means of resolving disputes.
He cautioned them against the deceptive tactics of violent extremist groups, saying such groups often preyed on vulnerable people with false promises.
Mr Angaamba encouraged the participants to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities that could threaten the peace and security of their communities.
Madam Alice Laar, a participant, speaking on behalf of her colleagues, lauded the Peace Council for its efforts in peacebuilding and expressed their commitment to championing peace to advance development in their communities.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]