By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Takoradi, Aug. 11, GNA – The Western Regional Office of the National Peace Council (NPC) is engaging traditional authorities and councils to strengthen partnerships and explore avenues for collaboration in conflict prevention, mediation, and resolution.
The initiative seeks to identify areas for joint peacebuilding efforts within the traditional areas and sustain dialogue and cooperation for peace and development in the Western Region.
Mr Stephen Sarfo Amoah, Acting Regional Executive Secretary of the NPC, told the Ghana News Agency that the Council employed peace education and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in its day-to-day activities to enhance conflict prevention, management, and resolution.
He highlighted the need for sustained dialogue and collaboration with traditional authorities to help identify early warning signs and refer disputes to the Council before they escalated.
“We are ready to receive any complaints and adopt the appropriate conflict prevention tools to ensure that our societies were more safer…our doors are always open come to the Regional office anytime to lodge any early warning signals,” he said.
Alhaji Elias Yusuf Kofi Gyampson, an Eminent Member of the Council, underscored the critical role of traditional authorities in maintaining peace and social order in Ghana.
He said the importance of that role informed the Western Regional Peace Council’s engagement with traditional councils across the region.
Alhaji Gyampson noted the growing economic opportunities in the region and the need to guard against challenges such as land disputes, illegal mining, and youth unemployment.
He said a strong partnership between the National Peace Council and traditional authorities was essential to addressing those issues effectively.
He also thanked the traditional councils for their warm reception and expressed the hope for continued peace within their jurisdictions.
The Chief of Yabiw-Shama and Acting President of the Shama Traditional Council, Nana Kwamina Wienu III, commended the Council for the initiative.
He observed that earlier resistance encountered by the Peace Council in resolving disputes in Shama stemmed from a limited understanding of the Council’s mandate and role among some local authorities.
“This is why you need to engage more and more for better appreciation of your role in nation building,” he said.
Nana Wienu assured the Council of the Traditional Council’s commitment to maintaining and promoting peace in the area and expressed the hope that the engagement would continue periodically.
At the Western Nzema Traditional Council, Abusua Kpanyinli Yemi said truthfulness was essential to fostering peace and should form part of the Council’s public education messages.
He further noted that the existence of resources often generated conflicts and therefore called for adequate support and resources for the Peace Council to carry out its mandate effectively across the region.
Awulae Kwasi Amakyi III commended the Council for visiting all the traditional councils in the region.
He expressed confidence that with the right measures and the continued commitment of the Western Nzema Traditional Council, peace would prevail.
He also encouraged the Peace Council to deepen its engagement with paramountcies and communities.
At the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council, Awulae Blay IX described the visit as timely and important, considering the nature of conflicts affecting some paramountcies in the region.
He observed that conflicts in parts of the region were undermining investor confidence and stressed the need for all stakeholders to champion peace for the benefit of the people of the region and the country as a whole.
Awulae Blay thanked the Council for the visit and urged it to intensify its engagements with traditional authorities to build stronger collaboration and synergy in maintaining peace.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Mildred Siabi-Mensah