TOWARDS PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE
A cross section of the chiefs during group discussions
PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM'S REPORT
JOURNALIST, GAMBAGA OCTOBER 15, 2008
A two day workshop on peaceful co-existence and peace building organized by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, NRHC and the National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE for chiefs, their elders and youth group leaders has ended at Gambaga in the East Mamprusi district.
The chiefs were mainly drawn from the Bunkprugu-Yunyoo traditional area because the area has experienced some ethnic clashes a few months ago. Various ethnic groups residing in the district were aptly represented at the workshop sponsored by the Sustainable Peace Initiative Programme.
However, four chiefs including Mangno Rana- Kpamka Bissa, Kpeg-yala Rana-J.K Parimah, Naagu Rana- E. Adam Laar and Gbingbalachet Rana- Gbingber Matuk Laar failed to participate in the workshop citing security concerns among other reasons.
The main objectives of the workshop included a reflection on the proliferation of small arms and their adverse effects on society, understanding the basic nature of conflicts and promotion of dialogue and intermediary roles as the best means of resolving disputes and conflicts. It also sought to develop the ability of participants to anticipate where, how and why conflicts erupt.
A participant and a representative of the Nayiri, Chief Dan N. Abdulai Ziiniaya in a chat with the ISD said it is regrettable that the Northern is widely perceived as conflict zone in Ghana adding that such a perception only retards the development of the region.
Chief Dan Ziiniaya called on people of the Northern region especially those resident home to change their attitude and behaviours in order to ensure continual peace and tranquility in the region. He believes all tribal and chieftaincy disputes will one day be resolved once and for all but said in some cases, divine intervention must be sought.
A facilitator of the workshop, Mr. Issah Nasagri noted in his presentation that no dispute has ever been amicably through arm conflict and urged chiefs to always invite professionally trained experts and organizations as the Sustainable Peace Initiative to help in finding concrete and mutually beneficial solutions to aggrieved parties any time disputes occur in their traditional areas.
Mr. J.S Babinah, Registrar of the NRHC told the participants that the house of chiefs has compiled peace messages from chiefs in the region and these are being broadcast through FM stations to further strengthen the call for peaceful co-existence among all tribes.
The Registrar said the NRHC is collaborating with NGOs, municipal and district assemblies so as to carry the campaign for peace to all corners of the three northern regions.
The DCE for East Mamprusi, Hon. Peter Baga Wuni thankedthe sustainable peace initiative for sponsoring the workshop saying government alone cannot shoulder the resolution of conflicts throughout the country. He said all must support efforts geared towards finding lasting peace in the trouble spots of the Northern region.
Hon. Wuni appealed to all people in the East Mamprusi and Bunkprugu-Yunyoo districts to give peace a chance for development to spread freely to all areas within the districts. He noted that the conflict in Bunkprugu-Yunyoo a few months ago has diverted money meant for development projects into the areas of peace keeping.
The Northern Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr. Haruna Huseini Sulleymana disclosed that 15 civic education programmes have been earmarked for the Northern region, six for the Upper East and four for the Upper West region.
PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM'S REPORT
JOURNALIST, GAMBAGA OCTOBER 15, 2008
A two day workshop on peaceful co-existence and peace building organized by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs, NRHC and the National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE for chiefs, their elders and youth group leaders has ended at Gambaga in the East Mamprusi district.
The chiefs were mainly drawn from the Bunkprugu-Yunyoo traditional area because the area has experienced some ethnic clashes a few months ago. Various ethnic groups residing in the district were aptly represented at the workshop sponsored by the Sustainable Peace Initiative Programme.
However, four chiefs including Mangno Rana- Kpamka Bissa, Kpeg-yala Rana-J.K Parimah, Naagu Rana- E. Adam Laar and Gbingbalachet Rana- Gbingber Matuk Laar failed to participate in the workshop citing security concerns among other reasons.
The main objectives of the workshop included a reflection on the proliferation of small arms and their adverse effects on society, understanding the basic nature of conflicts and promotion of dialogue and intermediary roles as the best means of resolving disputes and conflicts. It also sought to develop the ability of participants to anticipate where, how and why conflicts erupt.
A participant and a representative of the Nayiri, Chief Dan N. Abdulai Ziiniaya in a chat with the ISD said it is regrettable that the Northern is widely perceived as conflict zone in Ghana adding that such a perception only retards the development of the region.
Chief Dan Ziiniaya called on people of the Northern region especially those resident home to change their attitude and behaviours in order to ensure continual peace and tranquility in the region. He believes all tribal and chieftaincy disputes will one day be resolved once and for all but said in some cases, divine intervention must be sought.
A facilitator of the workshop, Mr. Issah Nasagri noted in his presentation that no dispute has ever been amicably through arm conflict and urged chiefs to always invite professionally trained experts and organizations as the Sustainable Peace Initiative to help in finding concrete and mutually beneficial solutions to aggrieved parties any time disputes occur in their traditional areas.
Mr. J.S Babinah, Registrar of the NRHC told the participants that the house of chiefs has compiled peace messages from chiefs in the region and these are being broadcast through FM stations to further strengthen the call for peaceful co-existence among all tribes.
The Registrar said the NRHC is collaborating with NGOs, municipal and district assemblies so as to carry the campaign for peace to all corners of the three northern regions.
The DCE for East Mamprusi, Hon. Peter Baga Wuni thankedthe sustainable peace initiative for sponsoring the workshop saying government alone cannot shoulder the resolution of conflicts throughout the country. He said all must support efforts geared towards finding lasting peace in the trouble spots of the Northern region.
Hon. Wuni appealed to all people in the East Mamprusi and Bunkprugu-Yunyoo districts to give peace a chance for development to spread freely to all areas within the districts. He noted that the conflict in Bunkprugu-Yunyoo a few months ago has diverted money meant for development projects into the areas of peace keeping.
The Northern Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr. Haruna Huseini Sulleymana disclosed that 15 civic education programmes have been earmarked for the Northern region, six for the Upper East and four for the Upper West region.
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