The Ashanti Regional Peace Council (ARPC), under the auspices of the National Peace Council, has congratulated the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his pristine leadership, which has immensely helped to sustain peace in the chieftaincy institution in the Region.
The commendation comes in the wake of the observance of World Peace Day themed: “Act now for a peaceful World”.
The APRC also acknowledged the unwavering endeavours of the Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the members of Regional Security Council, the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and their District Security Councils, in maintaining peace in the region.
The Regional Peace Council also touted the media fraternity for their “substantive roles” played in promoting peace in the region to promote peace and sensitisation programmes during the post-election period.
This year’s commemoration of the Day, observed annually on September 21, highlights the necessity of taking actions against prejudice, violence, hate and injustice.
The Council stressed the need for everyone, including peacekeepers, leaders, students and community leaders to play a role in maintaining peace in the nation.
In a statement signed by Dr. Harriet Takyi, Chairperson, APRC, the Council stated that the celebration of the World Peace Day provides the opportunity “for us as a people to reflect on the roles, each and every one plays in ensuring and sustaining peace in our homes, workplaces, communities and the nation as a whole.”
It noted that everyone is susceptible to persecution during times of conflict and urged all to work “individually and collectively” to guarantee that peace prevails at all times.
The statement also disclosed that the Act Now Campaign from the United Nations (UN) is helping millions to choose issues, take the necessary action and track their progress, noting that in the Region, the major concern is socio-economic need hidden in “greed and hatred” that pose challenges to peace in the region.
The Council also urged the citizenry to keep in mind that a “peaceful society” is one where there is justice, transparency, honesty, fairness, equality, low-level of corruption, equitable distribution of resources, good relations with neighbours, well-functioning institutions and acceptance of the rights of others in a dignified manner.
He was stressed that as Ghanaians, we all belong to a state and non-state institutions that play roles in the development of our nation, noting our collective efforts would go a long way to shape the country into how we envision it.
The statement also indicated that with the rise in target killings, suicides, road accidents, proliferation of arms and citizen unrest, “it is imperative we foster peace and pay attention to early warning signs in our environment.”
The Council disclosed that the ultimate impact of violence “is that, it is a descending spiral and begets the very things it seeks to destroy, which may lead to under-development”, indicating that “if there would be tranquillity in our time and generations to come, it would be determined by the steps we take towards achieving it today.”
It, therefore, urged the citizenry to contribute their quota in the fight for peace in the region and the country as a world.
The security agencies were also urged to exhibit the highest professional conduct in the discharge of their mandate and lawfully nip in the bud culture of impunity, so as to ensure trust and confidence in their ability to remain fair, just and neutral at all times, calling on individuals to be honest, fair, objective and truthful in their line of duty in the region.
The APRC advised that protracted conflict should be managed in a manner that ensures peaceful atmosphere in various communities, stressing that peace education should be extended to stakeholders in order to build trust among them.
The Council emphasised that the responsibility to change our destiny lies with the people and urged the citizenry to love, cherish, promote and defend the priceless gift of peace the nation enjoys.
From Oswald P. Freiku, Kumasi
