On Tuesday, 15th February 2022, The Central Regional Peace Council organised a one day workshop for the fisherfolks in Ekon, a fishing community near Cape Coast.

The objective of the workshop was to sensitize them on using nonviolent strategies to resolve conflict. Participants were also taken through the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act ( Act 999).

Mr Charles Ohene Amoh, the Regional Executive Secretary said that with the enactment of the Act all vigilante groupings were banned in Ghana saying anyone found to have formed such a group was liable to 10 to 15 years imprisonment.

And anyone convicted of acts of vigilantism was barred by the law from holding public or political office for 10 years and it was not worthy for the youth to follow such groupings.

“The youth must know that it is not worth joining any vigilante group, you will end up wasting your youthful age in prison,” he said.

The Chairman of the Central Regional Peace Council, Mr Mathew Eghan urged the fisherfolks to live peacefully and harmoniously.

” Please be tolerant and make it a habit to resort to a peaceful resolution when misunderstanding emerges, Mr Eghan stated”

Alhajj Adam Sakyi, a member of the Regional Peace Council also advised the participant against taking sides and creating tensions in their community.  Those who comment on issues on the radio must be careful about what they say. He reminded them that the Rwandan genocide was sparked by such comments.

The fisherfolks expressed their appreciation to the Central Regional Peace Council and hoped for more future engagement with the Peace Council.