Peace Council starts ‘get more women in conflict prevention’ campaign

The National Peace Council, with funding from the Canadian government, has launched a project aimed at increasing women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

The initiative, dubbed: “Increasing the voices, participation, and inclusion of women in conflict prevention” also aims to intensify efforts at increasing women participation in conflict prevention before, during and after the 2020 general elections.

Speaking at the event, the Political and Public Affairs Counsellor at the Canadian High Commission in Ghana, Pasquale Salvaggio lauded Ghana’s democratic credentials and expressed optimism that the project will contribute to ensuring inclusive participation in the upcoming elections.

According to him, “The projects in Ghana are being implemented in areas that have registered low electoral participation by vulnerable and marginalised groups, especially women and people living with disabilities”.

He added that: “Ghana, over the years, has positioned herself as the beacon of democracy in Africa. The world is looking to Ghana to maintain this status and to continue to run elections that are inclusive, peaceful, free and fair. A significant part of these electoral successes can be largely attributed to the active participation and vigilance of the citizenry. I believe this project, through its engagement and capacity-building of women, traditional, and religious leaders, will greatly contribute to ensuring inclusive participation in the project locations”.

For his part, the Chairman of the Peace Council, Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, said: “This particular project is targeting areas we have not done such things and have been neglected for a long time and we will continue to pursue activities in the Northern Region, especially in the Dagbon area…”

The project areas are Winneba (Central Region), Kumasi (Ashanti Region), Prampram (Greater Accra Region) and Dixcove (Western Region).