Use knowledge to promote peace

Winneba (C/R), April 15, GNA- Ghanaian intellectuals have been urged to use their acquired knowledge to promote peace and unity in the country, particularly in conflict areas. The call was made at an annual general meeting of the University of Education, Winneba branch, of the Bimoba Students Union (BISU). The meeting was to take stock of the union's performance in the past year.

Three eminent persons from the Bimoba traditional area in the Upper West Region, Mr Mahama Yakubu Dubik, an Accra-based legal practitioner, Mr. David Ayaaba and Mr. Samuel Nanmdam, both lecturers at the University of Education Winneba, and the University of Cape Coast, respectively were all of the view that the numerous ethnic, religious and Chieftaincy conflicts currently undermining national cohesion and progress in some parts of the country, were the making of citizens with good quality education.

They said research had proved that people living in the rural areas, especially the illiterates, attach great value to messages passed on to them by their learned siblings and act on such information without critically analysing the serious implications of their actions. Quality education they said, must be used to promote peace, and the spirit of oneness among the citizenry, irrespective of political, social and religious affiliations.

"It is absolutely wrong and unpardonable for any enlightened citizen or a group of highly educated Ghanaians, to capitalize on the ignorance of the illiterates and push them to destructive and undesirable ethnic conflicts and wars", the speakers added. Speaking on the topic "The role of a University student in promoting peaceful co-existence and the way forward", Mr Yakubu Dubik advised both graduates from the various conflict zones in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, to always ensure that discussions they hold with their respective ethnic groups did create more problems for their people and the nation.

Mr Dubik, who is also a patron of BISU, told the members that whatever they say would be "taken serious by their illiterate parents, brothers and sisters at home, because they have great respect and honour for people with higher education."

It is therefore incumbent on them to use the knowledge acquired to educate "their less fortunate relations in conflict areas, to come together as one people with a common destiny to develop their communities."

Mr Yakubu Dubik conceded that it was only quality education that would propel the country in its bid to develop. He commended the old executives of the UEW branch of the BISU under the leadership of Mr Ali Gado for the good work and charged the new executives to emulate them to ensure the continued growth of the union. Both old and current leaders of the union promised to team up and organize vacation classes for pupils and student in the Bimoba Traditional Area.

Certificates were awarded to the outgoing executives and the Patron of the UEW Union, Mr David Ayaaba at the meeting.