The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and other partners have launched a five-year strategic peace plan to promote peace and stability in Ghana and beyond.
The launch was made at the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) forum held in collaboration with National Security, and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra on the theme: Building a More Peaceful and Cohesive Ghana: A Collective Endeavour.
The plan is built on seven key pillars: promoting interreligious, intergenerational, and intercultural dialogue; enhancing security and social cohesion through community engagement and international collaboration; strengthening humanitarian response and crisis management to build community resilience; fostering economic and social development by promoting inclusive growth and addressing inequalities; promoting environmental sustainability by integrating environmental considerations into security planning; enhancing advocacy and awareness to counter extremist propaganda and raise public consciousness; and addressing gender considerations.
The President of GCBC and Bishop of Sunyani said the SPI, formed in 2019, is a collaborative effort by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. It aims to address security threats and political tensions that endanger societal stability and electoral fairness by promoting peace and solidarity.
Bishop Gyamfi stressed the need for social cohesion and mutual respect to build resilient communities, noting that security is crucial for national development, and called for innovative and collaborative strategies to ensure safety for all citizens.
He reminded Ghanaians and all members of the Sahel region that the essence of democracy is reflected in each citizen’s vote and stressed the collective responsibility to protect the electoral process from manipulation.
“And remember that the true essence of democracy lies in the voice of the people. Each valid vote cast is a testament to the trust placed in the democratic process”, he reiterated.
Bishop Gyamfi called for transparent and fair processes during the 2024 Parliamentary and Presidential elections in Ghana, calling on religious leaders, civil society, and political figures to uphold democratic principles and discourage violence and malpractice. He also entreated presidential candidates to accept the election results, regardless of the outcome, and not to let the pain of losing cause the disturbance of the nation’s peace.
He advised the media to be circumspect in their elections coverage, suggesting that highlighting positives could be more beneficial for the nation. He emphasised the need to educate the grassroots through proactive engagements about their rights, avoiding manipulation, and ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle said, peace is not the sole responsibility of government, security forces or any single organization but a collective endeavour involving each person.
The Minister for National Security, Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah in his Keynote Speech, highlighted the increased security threats in the Sahel Region, and stressed the urgent need for Forums like the SPI forum in peacebuilding.
He called on all Ghanaians to work collaboratively with other stakeholders to safeguard the peace and stability in our nation.
“The national security strategy places a high premium in adopting the whole of government and the whole of society approach which demands all and sundry to actively participate in the processes aimed at ensuring the stability of Ghana”, he emphasised.
The Country Representative of CRS Ghana, Dr. Daniel Mumuni, who assisted Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah in launching the peace plan said it is a necessary initiative that will ensure coordinated efforts among stakeholders fostering stability and providing support for the marginalized in society. “Peacebuilding transcends a mere absence of conflict. It involves creating an enabling environment where every individual can thrive and this is why it is also important to address the issue of marginalization”, he said.
Representatives from various political parties, including the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Movement for Change, Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), People’s National Convention (PNC), and Great Consolidated People’s Party (GCPP), the Electoral Services and GJA pledged their commitment to ensuring peaceful elections.
Also present were Bishops of the Sahel sub-region, officials from the German Embassy, British High Commission, West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Youth Bridge Foundation, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), USAID, National Peace Council, The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Christian Council of Ghana, Coalition Of Domestic Elections Observers (CODEO) and various media houses, all affirming their support for a transparent and fair electoral process.
