Worldwide peace deteriorating

Nations are spending an estimated $9.8 trillion on containing and dealing with violence, according to the 2014 Annual Global Peace Index (GPI).

It shows that worldwide peace deteriorated slightly for a seventh consecutive year, as a result of the conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and Central African Republic (CAR).

According to the Index, compiled annually by an Australian-based United Nations (UN) supported body, tension over Ukraine and increased terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines and Libya are also contributors.

Mr George Amoh, Programmes Director of the National Peace Council (NPC), who made this known, said Ghana stood 58th in the GPI 2013 rankings.

He was speaking at the opening session of a media training workshop on conflict sensitive reporting issues at Abesim, near Sunyani on Thursday.

It was organized by the NPC with support from Ibis, an international non-governmental organization and attended by about 30 Journalists and media practitioners.

Mr Amoh said a conflict mapping exercise completed by the NPC showed several areas of potential conflicts spread across the country apart from the traditional hotspots such as Bawku, Yendi and Alavanyo/Nkonya.

He said land and chieftaincy issues as well as high level of poverty, unemployment and corruption, especially bribery, extortions and nepotism continued to disturb and threaten national peace.

Mr Justin Bayor, Director of Programmes, Ibis West/Africa Office, said it was important to upgrade the knowledge of the media in conflict reporting guidelines.

He noted that the media played key role in promoting peace and there was the need to empower them adequately in handling conflicts.