By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), Aug. 19, GNA – Mr Peterkin Yentumi Gyinae, Oti Regional Chairman of the Regional Peace Council, has called on queenmothers to play a more active role in conflict prevention, mediation, reconciliation and the promotion of social cohesion in communities within the Nkwanta South Municipality.
He said queenmothers occupied unique and influential positions in Ghanaian communities and could leverage their wisdom, moral authority and close relationships with families, women and the youth to promote lasting peace.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the contribution of queenmothers to peacebuilding in Nkwanta South, Mr Gyinae said their traditional leadership roles placed them in a strategic position to identify early signs of conflict and help resolve them before they escalated.
He noted that queenmothers were highly respected within their communities and could use their influence to encourage dialogue, tolerance and the peaceful resolution of disputes, particularly among families and groups affected by longstanding conflicts.
“Queenmothers can contribute more effectively to conflict prevention, mediation, reconciliation and the promotion of social cohesion within our communities,” he said.
Mr Gyinae explained that, as custodians of culture and respected traditional leaders, queenmothers had the capacity to shape attitudes and influence community members, especially women and young people, against acts of violence and retaliation.
He said their involvement in peacebuilding should go beyond responding to conflicts and include preventive measures such as community education, early warning, dialogue and engagement with vulnerable groups.
According to him, queenmothers could serve as effective channels for disseminating peace messages to families and the youth, who were often directly or indirectly affected by communal conflicts.
Mr Gyinae observed that their close connection with women and families enabled them to understand community tensions and identify grievances that might otherwise remain unnoticed until they developed into serious disputes.
He therefore encouraged queenmothers to strengthen collaboration with traditional authorities, religious leaders, security agencies, the Regional Peace Council, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to foster a culture of peace in Nkwanta South.
Such collaboration, he said, would provide a broader platform for addressing the root causes of conflicts and promoting reconciliation among communities.
He further urged queenmothers to use traditional and cultural platforms to promote tolerance, respect for diversity and peaceful coexistence, stressing that sustainable peace required the collective commitment of all sections of society.
Mr Gyinae said the participation of women in peacebuilding was particularly important because they often bore significant social and economic consequences when conflicts occurred.
He encouraged queenmothers to champion initiatives that empowered women and young people to become peace ambassadors and active contributors to community development.
“Queenmothers have a powerful influence in our communities. They can help nurture a generation that values dialogue over conflict and reconciliation over retaliation,” he said.
Mr Gyinae expressed optimism that the stronger involvement of queenmothers, coupled with sustained engagement among traditional authorities, community leaders and state institutions, would contribute significantly to restoring trust and strengthening peaceful coexistence in Nkwanta South.
He called on stakeholders to create opportunities for queenmothers to participate meaningfully in peacebuilding processes, saying their experience, cultural knowledge and proximity to communities could complement formal conflict-resolution mechanisms.
Mr Gyinae emphasised that peace was essential for development and urged residents to embrace dialogue, respect one another and work together to create a safe and harmonious environment for present and future generations.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah