Government has neglected Greater Accra Peace Council - Eminent Member

Mr. Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman, a member of the National Peace Council's Greater Accra chapter, voiced worry that none of the organization's activities in Greater Accra have received government financing since 2017.

"It is perplexing to think that the eminent members of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council's seating allowances have been in arrears for over a year," Alhaji Khuzaima, the Executive Secretary of the Tijjaniya Muslims Movement of Ghana (TMMG) and a founding member of the Christian-Muslim Forum for Dialogue and Mutual Relations, said.

He stated that the nature of the peace council's job is such that they move in the light and in the dark and frequently do not announce their movements, peacebuilding actions, and community initiatives when there is a problem, except when absolutely required.

He, therefore, urged the government to support its efforts to promote peace and tolerance in the region.

He added that the peace council preferred to work in silence and in low profile with partners until peace was achieved and that they believe they have a role to play in preventing conflicts while also having the necessary skills, experience, and manpower to extinguish them when they are in flames.

Alhaji Khuzaima observed that it was usual for anyone to take God's favours for granted until those blessings were taken away.

He identified various locations and localities in Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad where food vendors are unable to come out to sell only food because the communities are surrounded by bandits, economic, religious, and political terrorists.

According to Alhaji Khuzaima, "To think of the fact that some people can't even roam around their communities freely and safely in some parts of West Africa is just enough reason for a Ghanaian to thank God for the blessings of fresh air and the ability to purchase fresh and clean water anytime and anywhere in Ghana".

Alhaji Khuzaima repeated the recent developments and scenarios in several regions of West Africa regarding the transition from democratic administration to military rule.

Ghanaian politicians, he says, must understand the power of the masses, whose acceptance or disapproval of any system of governance becomes a prerequisite for a switch to military or civilian rule.

"Peace, to all of us, means the freedom to breathe, live, pray, and work for your future with dignity and respect while upholding your moral values without fear of intimidation, injustices to yourself, your family, or your loved ones," he said.

He stated that if anyone loses any of the above, he or she has a legitimate reason to seek justice through the court or a peaceful protest to express grievances, anger, or frustration, and if any of the above methods do not yield a positive result, the victim has a final option to decide the future of the rulers through the ballot box.

"Peace is achieved when we ensure that the concerns and welfare of every citizen are guaranteed by the state or community," he stated.

-CDA Consult || Contributor