Workshop for conflict management opens

Amasaman (G/A), May 8, GNA - A three-day workshop to expose traditional leaders to early warnings and signals of conflicts and alternative dispute resolution methods opened at Amasaman in the Ga West District on Monday.

The workshop would also equip members of the Lands and Chieftaincy Dispute Committee of the District to identify all land and chieftaincy disputes and use dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure peace within the community.

Ms Georgette Francois, a barrister for West Africa Dispute Resolution Centre, said the participants would, among other things, understand conflict alternative dispute resolution advocacy and peace building, in order to effectively manage conflict in the District. She said the participants would be expected to analyse land disputes and to integrate conflict resolution systems into the community.

Ms Francois said although complete eradication of conflict from any community might be difficult, effective management was essential to keep it at the minimum.

Mr Eric Busby Quartey-Papafio, District Chief Executive for Ga West, said conflict was of national concern, since it permeated throughout all regions.

He said it was in this view, that the District had set up an 11-member committee to identify land and chieftaincy disputes within the District and use dispute resolution mechanisms to settle them.

Mr Quartey-Papafio noted that without peace and stability, all effort aimed at socio-economic development would be in vain and that could affect investments and other avenues for development in the community.

"Until we are able to limit and eventually eradicate conflict of lands and titles of office, we will not be able to mobilise our people for development, since the Government alone cannot meet the development need of our communities," he said.

The DCE commended ActionAid, Ghana, for its support and advised participants to fully utilise the skills to be acquired for fruitful mediation, reconciliation and arbitration.

Mr Kwesi Ohemeng Agyei, Programme Manager of ActionAid International, Ghana, said the organisation was committed to promote innovative approaches to conflict prevention and resolution as the District sought to do.

He said ActionAid's strategic approaches in this regard, include enhancing support towards local appropriate conflict resolutions and peace-building and advocate that Government promoted peace and security as fundamental human rights.

He stated that the organisation would also strengthen civil society organisations to advocate effective implementation of the Disaster Management Act and formulation of national policy on conflict management and capacity building for district assemblies.

Nii Amasa Oseiku II, Chief of Amasaman, who chaired the opening ceremony, said although various interventions to ensure global peace had failed, the use of alternative conflict resolution should be promoted to ensure peace.