WANEP@20: Don’t take peace for granted – Bawumia

The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has urged CSOs to help promote peace and stability in the sub-region.

He made this statement when he launched a 3-day celebration of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding’s 20th Anniversary celebration at the Tang Palace in Accra.

The Vice president who gave the keynote address on behalf of President Akufo-Addo urged Civil Society Organisations and ECOWAS to join forces in promoting peace and stability in the West African sub-region, this he believes will develop the economy and help other continents to thrive.

According to Dr Bawumia, the National Patriotic Party’s aim is in line with ECOWAS when it comes to promoting peace in order to encourage people-oriented governance.

He further charged CSO’s to collaborate with government to help enhance peace and stability, he reiterated that we shouldn’t take peace for granted since it is the only way we can live and develop our society without any hindrances.

“Peace is really like fresh air, we take it for granted as we go about our daily business because we are breathing in fresh air, but you will only understand it’s important when something fouls the air, as you gasp for fresh air and so we should not take peace for granted,” he stressed.

WANEP, since its inception, has been working with key stakeholders to resolve conflict and build peace across the West Africa sub-region.

The organization continues to influence peace and security policies and debates through Memorandums of Understanding with African Union, ECOWAS, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre among others.

Some dignitaries who joined in the 20th Anniversary of WANEP, Stephanie Sullivan, US Ambassador to Ghana; Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, the special representative and Head of ECOWAS; Ambrose Dery, Interior Minister; the Executive Director of WANEP, Dr. Chukwuemeka Eze, and other representatives from the various sub-regions who joined in the celebration of the hard work WANEP over the last 20 years had done in ensuring the stability of West African Countries.