Minister lauds formation of peace clubs in schools
Mr. Cezar Kale, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, has lauded the formation of peace clubs in schools, saying it would equip them with the skills needed to resolve and prevent conflicts.
He said conflicts at various levels of society were becoming more complex and noted that the right actions had to be taken to reduce them and their consequences.
Mr. Kale, who said this at the inauguration of the St. Francis Girls' Senior High School (SHS) Peace Club, at Jirapa, advised the members to learn more about the importance of Peace to become good peace ambassadors.
He said: "as young people, it is necessary to introduce you to issues of peace in a practical way so that it becomes part of your lives as you grow."
According to him, the formation of the Club in a Girls' school was a step in the right direction as they would soon grow to become mothers who would imbibe in their children the need for peaceful co-existence.
Mr. Kale, however, reminded them that to attain peace, they must demonstrate it to be in a better position to teach others.
They must also resolve conflicts in society by starting with their peers.
He commended the Centre for Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies (CECOTAPS) for its commitment towards the promotion of the culture of peace through grass-roots peace-building and conflict transformation initiatives.
He appealed to the Wa Satellite Peace Centre to organise outreach programmes for members of the club to train them to become peer peace counsellors.
Mr. Kale expressed the hope that the activities of the club would lead to its extension to other second cycle institutions across the country.
The Reverend Father Lazarus Annyereh, Director of CECOTAPS, at Damongo, in the Northern Region, said a peaceful atmosphere at schools was essential in promoting high standards of learning but expressed concern about how students of today were being subjected to bullying, teasing and other senseless fatal disputes.
He said to fulfil the mission of educating young people and preparing them to function effectively in an adult society schools must first be safe places where each learner could feel physically and psychologically free from threats and danger.
Rev. Fr. Annyereh stressed that conflict resolution education programmes could help schools to promote individual behavioural change necessary for responsible citizenship and the systematic change required for a safe learning environment.
He pointed out that Northern Ghana was notorious for its violent conflicts leading to serious poverty and hatred caused by the loss of lives and property.
He said women, though vulnerable, could promote violence as well as sustainable culture of peace.
He expressed contentment that the club in St. Francis Girls SHS could lead to the transformation of many young ladies who may be committed to married life or other leadership roles.