Upper East Regional Peace Council Trains Community Stakeholders to Promote Peaceful Coexistence in Refugee Host Communities

From 22nd to 24th July 2024, the Upper East Regional Peace Council (UERPC) organized a transformative capacity-building workshop at Amazin Hotel, Zebila, under the project titled: “Improving the Economic Resilience of Host Communities for Peacebuilding”. This initiative, supported by the U.S. Department of State in partnership with UNDP and IOM, targeted communities hosting refugees from extremist violence in neighboring Burkina Faso.

The project aims to:

  • Strengthen conflict resolution skills among youth, women, and opinion leaders,

  • Promote intercultural dialogue to foster social cohesion, and

  • Build youth resilience against violent extremism and radicalization.

In his keynote address, Mr. Damien Asobayire, Executive Secretary of UERPC, highlighted the urgent need to address the strain on local resources and tensions within host communities. “These communities are hosting both refugees and minority groups from different cultural backgrounds. For peaceful coexistence to be possible, we must build their capacity in conflict resolution and social cohesion,” he stated.

He stressed that participants—referred to as peace champions—are expected to return to their communities, detect early warning signs of conflict, and lead grassroots peacebuilding efforts.

Mr. Ali Anankpieng, a seasoned facilitator and former Executive Secretary of UERPC, further urged participants to remain vigilant. He emphasized that early detection and action are key to preventing conflict and maintaining harmony in culturally diverse settings.

The training brought together 24 participants from three key host communities—Sepelliga, Tarikom, and Widnaba—including youth leaders, women representatives, and community influencers.

By the end of the workshop, participants were empowered to:

  • Advocate for peaceful coexistence and tolerance,

  • Reject violent narratives and extremist ideologies,

  • Promote unity and inclusion through intercultural engagement.

This initiative is a significant step toward creating resilient, inclusive, and peaceful communities in Northern Ghana amid regional security challenges.