By Kingsley Mamore, GNA
Dambai (O/R), Aug. 4, GNA – Traditional authorities, community leaders and members of local peace committees, have intensified efforts to restore lasting peace in conflict-prone communities within the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region.
They have done this through a community peace outreach campaign aimed at fostering reconciliation and rebuilding trust among residents.
The peace delegation visited several communities, including Gekrom, Abrewanko, Kari, Shiare and Nyambon, as well as other settlements affected by the protracted conflict, to reassure residents of the commitment of traditional leaders, government and security agencies to restoring lasting peace and normalcy.
The outreach formed part of ongoing interventions to strengthen dialogue, promote reconciliation and encourage peaceful coexistence following a series of recent peace engagements involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders.
Residents in the various communities welcomed the initiative and pledged their support for the peace process, describing it as a timely intervention capable of bringing an end to years of fear, insecurity and displacement.
In a symbolic demonstration of humility and commitment, some members of the local peace committee knelt before residents, appealing for forgiveness, unity and reconciliation while assuring them of their determination to work tirelessly to ensure that sustainable peace returns to the area.
The emotional gesture drew applause from community members, many of whom expressed hope that the renewed commitment by all stakeholders would mark a turning point in the efforts to end the conflict.
Speaking on behalf of some of the affected communities, Mr Gabriel Kwame Obeng publicly declared an end to hostilities, and urged all persons involved in the conflict to abandon violence and support the ongoing peace process.
“Today, we declare to the public that although we were among those involved in the fighting, we have now resolved to end the conflict by laying down our guns and every weapon that takes human life,” he said.
He called on the youth to reject violence and embrace dialogue, stressing that no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
Mr Peter Kofi Annan, another community representative, described the peace initiative as a significant milestone in rebuilding confidence among neighbouring communities that had long been divided by mistrust and conflict.
He said the renewed atmosphere of peace would restore freedom of movement, revive economic activities, and strengthen social relations among residents.
“Today’s activity is one that will build trust among our people. Places where traders and residents could not visit before can now be accessed freely. We can now attend one another’s social and cultural activities without fear,” he stated.
The community representatives further pledged to collaborate with traditional authorities and security agencies by exposing individuals who attempted to undermine the peace process.
They said anyone found inciting violence or engaging in activities capable of disrupting the ongoing reconciliation efforts would be reported to the appropriate authorities for the necessary action.
They appealed to residents to remain vigilant and avoid spreading misinformation or inflammatory messages capable of reigniting tensions within the affected communities.
In an exclusive engagement by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) with Most Reverend Simon Kofi Appiah of the Jasikan Catholic Diocese, he observed that the conflict was driven by a complex combination of social and economic factors and cautioned that achieving sustainable peace would require more than military and security interventions.
“What we have witnessed here is a complex social situation where several factors have combined to fuel the conflict and escalate it into violence,” he said.
He stressed that while the role of security agencies remained indispensable in maintaining law and order, addressing the underlying causes of the conflict was equally important for achieving lasting peace.
He called on the Government to intensify socio-economic interventions in the affected communities by investing in education, healthcare, employment opportunities, youth empowerment and other development initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of residents.
He told the GNA that improving livelihoods and expanding access to essential social services would reduce the vulnerability of young people to violence and strengthen social cohesion among the various ethnic groups.
“It is important for the government to step up social, economic, educational and health initiatives within these communities. These interventions are essential to complement the peace process that has begun and to ensure that the peace achieved is lasting and sustainable,” he stated.
The peace outreach forms part of broader interventions being undertaken by traditional authorities, religious leaders, community members, security agencies and Government to restore stability, strengthen social cohesion and promote sustainable peace across the conflict-affected communities within the Nkwanta enclave.
Residents expressed optimism that with the renewed commitment of all stakeholders and the continued support of Government, the area would gradually return to normalcy, allowing farming, trading, education and other socio-economic activities to flourish once again.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo