PAVOA uses Music & Dance to promote peace

AS THE search for peace in the Upper East Region continues, many ways are being sought by all the stakeholders in that direction. One of such stakeholders is the Peace Advocacy and Voluntary Organisers Association (PAVOA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which is adopting music, dance and drumming to promote peace and unity in the region.

At its 8th Anniversary celebration at Sumbrungu near Bolgatanga, the POVOA organised a music, dance and drumming competition for 20 women groups and 19 youth groups, with the core aim of achieving its objective of promoting peace and unity among communities.

According to the Project Coordinator of the POVOA, Mr. Richard Abunse-Nyaabire, the NGO was using the music, dance and drumming approach to fight against ethnicity, political and religious intolerance, as well as land and chieftaincy issues, which it has identified as major contributory factors to conflicts in the region.

He regretted that the rich cultural and traditional values of the people had been overshadowed by Western culture, which was breeding immorality and indiscipline among the youth, observing that traditional music, dance and drumming played an important role in instilling moral values in people, especially the youth, thus discouraging them from engaging in conflict.

He commended the main sponsors of the programme, the European Union, through the Centre for National Culture, as well as other organisations and individuals, for contributing towards peace in the country.

He however appealed to the people of Bawku and Yendi to give peace a chance, since this was the only way to pave the way for development.

Ms. Mary Azongo, Municipal Home Science Extension Supervisor, advised parents to stop giving out their daughters in early marriages and for child labour, saying such practices were violations of their human rights, especially the Children's Act.

The Deputy Upper East Regional Director of the Centre for National Culture, Mr. Kombat N. Fuzzy, lauded the POVOA for the peace initiative.

He was optimistic that this would help reduce the numerous conflicts, including chieftaincy and land issues, which are pronounced in some parts of the three northern regions.

He said music, drumming and dancing were powerful instruments that could be used to enable people understand and appreciate the need for peaceful co-existence in their localities.