YIEL project launched to mitigate electoral conflict

The West African Network for Peace Building (WANEP-Ghana) has launched its Youth In Election (YIEL) project aimed at preventing the outbreak of violence in the 2012 elections.

Mr Justim Bayor, National Coordinator of WANEP-Ghana, said the YIEL project is a six-month programme sponsored by the Canada Fund for local initiative and would contribute to the reduction in conflicts and violence in the country.

He said research conducted by the network in the Western, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and the Volta regions which are violence prone areas, gave ample data that violence was mostly expressed by the youth.

He said the ultimate strategy was to establish inter-party youth dialogue committees in the four regions in order to promote dialogue and exchange.

Mr Bayor said the WANEP-Ghana would take the lead and work with political parties to form committees, prepare and implement action plans, hold regional sensitization and create public awareness through the media.

He said the project has the potential to reduce conflicts among the youth and serve as a means of promoting peace during the 2012 elections.