Minister Lauds National Peace Council

Mr James Agalga, Deputy Minister of the Interior, on Tuesday lauded the National Peace Council (NPC) for promoting peace and security in the country.

He observed that the critical role of the NPC in fostering peace cannot be measured, adding: “The council has been working behind the scenes to ensure that we enjoy peace.”

“Indeed, all Ghanaians take pride when the success story of Ghana is told as the beacon of peace and security in Africa and applauded at international conferences and fora.”

Mr Agalga gave the commendation in Accra at a Policy Makers and Media Forum on “Local Sources and Forms of Social Order in West Africa.”

The forum was organised by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in collaboration with the Australian AID and the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.

The forum comes at the conclusion of a two-year 700,000 Australian- dollar project implemented by the KAIPTC and the UQ, which investigated the nature and scope of non-state actors’ contributions to peace, security and justice in Ghana and Liberia, and their interaction with state and international actors.

The Deputy Minister said the global security situation is not pleasant, neither that of Africa nor even the sub-region; stating: “One would note the confusion, destruction mayhem and turmoil caused by Jihadist, terrorist, militias and insurgents like the ISIL, Al Qaeda and in our own backyard, Boko Haram.”

Mr Agalga said a large cross section of society plays an active role in building and maintaining peace and security throughout the West Africa sub-region.

He indicated that these actors include state institutions like the police, the army, the judiciary and the legislature as well as international non-governmental organisations, regional organisations and multi-national organisations.

He said frequently overlooked, however, is the central and critical role of local actors, including community-based organisations, religious leaders, chiefs, traditional leaders, elders and civil society organisations.

The Deputy Minister said chiefs and other traditional authorities, has been integrated into the state structures in various ways and they bring along with them their traditions, customary values, practices, norms, morals and unique insights into the everyday challenges and struggles of their communities.

Dr Henry Seidu Daanaa, Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, described the forum as very timely and important because, the people of West Africa are going through times in which the contributions of stakeholders and their collaboration to provide and promote peace, security and justice are desperately needed.

He entreated the participants that although the project is rapidly reaching its end, they should do their part, in every aspect of their lives, in promoting peace, security and justice.

“The challenges before us are difficult, but with persistence and perseverance we can together surmount any future barriers. The future of this great nation and the region is in our hands,” he stated.

Mr Tim Millinkan, Deputy Australian High Commissioner, said it was good that findings from the project were made available to policy makers.

He cautioned that the recent violence in Bimbilla in the Northern Region and during the parliamentary bye-election in Talensi in the Upper East Region were indications that even peaceful Ghana is subject to violence.

Major General Obed Boamah Akwa, the Commandant, KAIPTC said the contribution of stakeholders in promoting peace, security and justice in the sub-region is very vital.

He said it was important that the collective efforts of all and sundry in improving peace and security in West Africa goes beyond the scope of the project.

Dr Anne Brown, Lecturer, UQ, and coordinator of the project, noted that the findings show that actors in peace and security such as the police, chiefs and the judiciary collaborates often, but there would be tension between the values and practices of different ways of seeking peace, security and justice.

The study recommends that stakeholders should be encouraged to pool resources, exchange ideas and promote cooperation within their means.

The project sites in both countries covered two rural communities and two urban centres. In Ghana the participating urban centres were Takoradi and Kumasi; while the rural sites were Abusua in the Western Region and Kalsegra in the Upper West Region.