By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi, GNA
Accra, Nov. 10, GNA – The National Peace Council (NPC), has cautioned students against all forms of violence, stressing that assault and other criminal acts could lead to imprisonment, including in juvenile correctional facilities.
Mrs Janet Dedei Sarney-Kuma, Director for Capacity Development and Outreach, NPC, said psychological and emotional violence, including abuse and insults would not promote peace amongst them and urged the students to treat one another with respect and dignity.
Speaking during a sensitisation workshop to imbibe in the students the sense and culture of peaceful coexistence and charge them to be peace ambassadors, she said Ghana had a rich cultural and religious diversity that promoted national cohesion.
Mrs Sarney-Kuma, urged the students to embrace tolerance and peaceful coexistence, noting that despite their differences, they were all Ghanaians.
She encouraged them to become peace ambassadors and learn to manage conflicts peacefully in their school without resorting to violence.
Mrs Sarney-Kuma, further proposed the establishment of a Peace Club in the school to provide students with more education on peacebuilding, conflict resolution and harmonious coexistence.
The workshop was interactive as students shared their experiences and perspectives on peace, violence and other social vices.
Rev Fr Dr George Obeng Appah, St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School had strengthened guidance and counselling, student engagement and disciplinary measures to promote peace, discipline and harmonious living among students.
He said the School’s guidance and counselling unit focused largely on preventive education, while the school also used its public address system to educate students on issues such as sexual harassment and bullying.
“The School has also created opportunities for students to express themselves and channel their energies through clubs, societies, sports and other extracurricular activities held on Fridays to ensure they don’t channel their energies to productive ventures,” Rev Fr Appah.
He said peer counselling and student leadership initiatives had also proved effective, while parents were involved in disciplinary matters and kept informed about measures being implemented by the School.
On managing diversity, he said orientation helped students to appreciate their differences and live together as members of one community, irrespective of their ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
Rev Fr Appah urged the students to become ambassadors of peace, eschew negative behaviours and take their education seriously, stressing that education was not only about academic work but character development and preparing responsible citizens to build the nation.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
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