Bolgatanga: The National Peace Council has facilitated a dialogue session between security agencies and traditional authorities in the Upper East Region to promote peace and security in the area.
According to Ghana News Agency, the engagement, held in Bolgatanga, brought together paramount chiefs and queen mothers to foster collaboration with key security stakeholders, including the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and Narcotics Control Commission. The meeting provided a platform for frank discussions on strengthening partnerships and deepening mutual understanding amid growing security concerns, particularly land and chieftaincy disputes and the threat of violent extremism.
The dialogue was part of the second phase of the Preventing Violent Extremism Through Social Accountability (PoVETSA) project, which is being implemented by the National Peace Council in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands to enhance trust, improve security-civilian relations, promote social cohesion, and help prevent violent extremism and conflict in Ghana.
Mr. Frank Wilson Bodza, Deputy Director in charge of Conflict Management and Resolution at the National Peace Council, emphasized the importance of cordial collaboration between traditional authorities and security agencies in ensuring peace and stability in communities. He noted that the Upper East Region was considered a conflict-prone area due to the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict and other communal disputes, which had resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.
Additionally, Mr. Bodza mentioned that the region shared boundaries with Sahelian countries such as Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali, and Niger, many of which had experienced violent extremism, underscoring the need to build trust between traditional rulers and security agencies to combat such threats. 'We are calling on the Regional Security Council and the House of Chiefs to work together to maintain peace and restore calm in conflict-affected areas,' he said. He reaffirmed the National Peace Council's commitment to working with all stakeholders to promote social cohesion and prevent violence through inclusive and accountable governance.
Dr. Francis Gumah, Head of Programmes at CRS, stressed that peace was essential for accelerated development and called on all stakeholders to view peacebuilding as a collective responsibility. He emphasized the influential role of traditional authorities in their communities and noted that collaboration with them would empower security agencies to function more effectively and ensure lasting peace.
Reverend Father Thaddeus Kuusah, Director of Governance and Peace for the Tamale Catholic Archdiocese, said while conflicts, especially the longstanding Bawku chieftaincy dispute were complex, they were not beyond resolution. He called for a deeper appreciation of the issues and stronger collaboration to address the challenges.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Raymond Adofem, Upper East Regional Police Commander, commended the Peace Council and CRS for organizing the dialogue session, stating that it had helped to strengthen the relations between the security services and traditional leaders, who were key partners in maintaining law and order. Naba Tandagrewongrekugre Clifford Asobayire V, Paramount Chief of the Kologo Traditional Area, praised the initiative and urged the security agencies, particularly the police, to establish stronger ties with traditional rulers. Doing so, he said, would foster a better understanding of local issues and promote effective collaboration.