The National Peace Council has emphasized the importance of employing peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms and dialogue to promote social cohesion and prevent conflicts among communities and warring parties. Mr. Ali Anankpieng, the Executive Secretary of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, underscored the effectiveness of dialogue in creating understanding and appreciation among stakeholders, thereby fostering resilience and peaceful coexistence.
The call for dialogue was made during a two-day training workshop on peacebuilding organized by the National Peace Council for indigenes and Fulbe groups in Kanjarga, a farming community in the Builsa South District of the Upper East Region. The workshop, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Australian Aid, aimed to strengthen relations between communities and Fulbe groups, particularly addressing issues such as land disputes and conflicts arising from overgrazing by Fulbe animals.
Mr. Anankpieng highlighted the rising conflicts between communities and Fulbe groups in the region, attributing them to issues like overgrazing, stereotypes, and prejudice. He stressed the need for effective dialogue as a preventive and resolution mechanism to enhance social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Participants were urged to utilize the knowledge gained from the training to address issues affecting peaceful coexistence, particularly farmer-herder conflicts, and strengthen prevailing peace in the region. Pognaab Felicia Awialie Akamjambudai, the Queen mother of Kanjarga, expressed optimism that the training would facilitate peaceful resolution of conflicts and improve livelihoods for both communities and Fulbe groups.
Mr. Jibril Osman Salifu, a member of the Fulbe groups, highlighted discrimination and stereotypes as major challenges faced by his community. He emphasized the importance of dialogue in prioritizing good relationships between communities and Fulbe groups, indicating that the training had deepened their understanding of conflict resolution strategies.