Inadequate policy framework, cause of violence- Christian Council

Tamale, June 27, (Caesar), GNA- The Christian Council of Ghana (Northern Sector) has observed that inadequate policy framework for a peaceful resolution of conflicts was the cause of the "cycle of conflicts" in the country.

"Though the damage and loss as a result of conflicts have lingering consequences that polarise communities, drive a wedge of division and hatred among individuals, there has not been adequate policy framework to manage and transform conflicts in the country," the Council said. Mr James Nahyi, Northern Sector Coordinator of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) made the observation at a day's sensitisation workshop on: "Peace Education on non-violence response to conflicts in the wake of the 2008 general election", in Tamale, on Thursday. The CCG is taking critical initiatives that would inform and equip the people of Dagbon to respond non-violently to issues that could arise before, during and after the polls.

The workshop was also to expose participants to practical skills, useful for peace building in conflicts with a critical understanding of potential roles community leaders could play to avert such situations. About 60 participants, comprising political party executives, the youth, chiefs, religious bodies, traditional authorities, women opinion leaders, representatives of butchers and the league of youth associations from the seven districts covering the Dagbon area in the Northern Region, attended the forum.

Mr Nahyi said it was necessary for parties to use broad-based approach in tackling conflicts, particularly in the three Northern Regions, to disabuse the minds of the people that the government of the day had interest in such situations. He said many of the conflicts had been politicised and had tended to polarise the country.

He cited the Abudu and Andani conflict of Dagbon, which he said had a perceived linkage of the two major political parties in the country, making it difficult to resolve the chieftaincy crisis. He appealed to the government, civil society organisations and other development partners to adopt proactive measures to help prevent any conflict in the country before, during and after the elections to foster national cohesion.

Mr Amadu Ibrahim Zakaria, Coordinator for the Ghana Network for Peace-building (GHANEP), said political elections were often associated with conflicts and stressed the need for all Ghanaians to work assiduously to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in December. He said Ghana's democracy was the envy of most African countries and urged political leaders to help protect this democratic credence. At an open forum, some participants admitted that conflicts retarded development and creates hunger, disease as well as loss of life and property, and pledged their commitment to ensure violence-free elections.