Accra, Nov. 20, GNA – Mr Henry Quartey, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, on Tuesday said conflict has been a major concern of every individual no matter his or her religious, socio-economic and political outlook.
He said conflict and its resolution has also been a central feature of many communities, local and traditional authorities and the international community.
“Most conflicts are local in nature, requiring local early warning mechanisms, as well as local human and material resources to promptly respond to the effects of chieftaincy, land, ethnic, religious, political and communal conflicts”.
Mr Quartey, who was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a 13-member Greater Accra Regional Peace Council (GARPC) in Accra, said “the task of peace-building is a long and arduous one, requiring integrity, fairness, impartially and confidentiality.
“I have no doubt that as eminent persons nominated by your respective revered institutions, you will discharge your mandate effectively and efficiently without fear or favour,” he added.
The members of the GARPC are Reverend Father John Patrick Tindana, Representative from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference; Right Reverend Samuel Kofi Osabutey, Representative from the Christian Council; Reverend Joseph K. K Baisie, representing Ghana Pentecostal Council and Reverend Dr Patrick Anyomi, from the National Council for Christian and Charismatic Churches.
Others are Alhaji Abdul Majeed, representative from Ahmadiyya Mission; Sheikh Abaas Salah Haroun, Al-Sunnah Muslims representative; SheiKh khuzaima Mohammed Osman, Tijaaniya Muslims group representative; DCOP Daniel Laryea Odai and DSP Mary Attoh Annang, both representing the Regional Coordinating Council and Mrs Theodora Williams Anti, representative of the Foundation for Security Development in Africa.
The rest are Dr Afua Boatemaa Yokohene, Representative for Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy; Numo Blafo Akotia Omaetu III, representative of Practitioners of African Traditional Religion, and Nene Atsure Benta III, representative of the Regional House of Chiefs.
Mr Quartey said: “In an attempt to find lasting solution to the myriad of conflicts in the country, the National Peace Council has been established with its decentralized branches at the regional and district level, to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts”.
He noted that the Regional Peace Councils are essential in conflict resolution and reiterated Government’s commitment to give the necessary support to the National Peace Council (NPC) to enable members to achieve their goals.
He urged the GARPC to establish and strengthen collaboration with security agencies, governance institutions, traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipals and District Assemblies (MMDAs), civil society organizations, especially, faith-based organizations to facilitate the attainment of sustainable peace in the country and fulfil the objects for SDG Goal 16.
“I am aware that the NPC, conscious of the crucial roles that MMDCEs play as the chairs of the Security Committees of DISECs and MUSECs, organised activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of MMDAs in the Greater Accra Region in conflict mediation, in August 2018.
That, he said, must provide the platform for closer and deeper collaboration; and knowledge and information sharing between the GARPC and MMDAs in the region.
Mr Quartey pledged the Ministry’s support for the GARPC, saying that “Please count on me and the Ministry of the Interior as your dependable partner. We will ensure that we play our role to the best of our abilities to facilitate efficient delivery of your mandate”.
Most Reverend Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the Governing Board of the NPC, said every region in Ghana was challenged with diverse conflicts, which could be a threat to the socio-economic development of the country.
He said conflict situations put heavy financial burden on the national purse thereby diverting funds meant for development agenda into solving violent conflicts.
He, however, cautioned that if efforts were not made to put in place measures to address those conflicts, the country’s developmental efforts would be stalled.
The Rev. Osabutey, on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the NPC and the people of Ghana for considering them worthy to take up the mandate and pledged their preparedness to use their expertise to give direction and support to the NPC to ensure peace in the region.
GNA
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