The National Peace Council (NPC) held a three-day orientation retreat to empower its third Board Members to deliver the mandate of promoting and sustaining peace and security. Members of the Board present were representatives of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, the Anglican Church of Ghana, Civil Society Organizations, the Traditional Council and spokesperson of the National Chief Imam.

The orientation programme was on the theme: "Collaborative Leadership and Dialogue.

The Reverend Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, the Chairman of NPC, said the NPC was grateful to UNDP and in particular, it's Resident Representative, Ms. Angela Lusigi, for providing the Council with two highly experienced hands -Dr. Ozonia Ijielo and Mr Dominic Sam- as resource persons for the retreat.

Ms Angela Lusigi, the UNDP Resident Representative, said the orientation was important as peaceful, just and inclusive societies were at the heart of the global agenda 2030 for sustainable development, Africa's Agenda 2063 and Ghana's long-term development plan.

She said it is important that people everywhere feel free of fear from all forms of violence and feel safe in their daily lives.

"We must not be complacent. We need a whole of society approach led by institutions like the Peace Council, Parliament, the Judiciary and the security sector to be well resourced and equipped to lead the way in addressing the changing dynamics of conflict," she advised.

Mr Charles Abani, UN Resident Coordinator, said Ghana being regarded as a beacon of peace in Africa, is a good example, something the Peace Council have to be proud of.

He said the UN is prepared to support the Peace Council Board to protect and sustain the peace in the country.

Source: Ghana News Agency. Read more here.