ARPC Hosts Outreach Peace Education on Radio and Television to Strengthen Hybrid Peacebuilding in Zongo Communities

The Ashanti Regional Peace Council (ARPC), in collaboration with Garden City Television and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), has organized an Outreach Peace Education and Sensitization programme aimed at promoting hybrid peacebuilding in Zongo communities across the Ashanti Region.

The programme, held on 15th May 2026 at Garden City Television in Kumasi, formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public awareness on the role of Local Peace Committees (LPCs) in conflict prevention, mediation, and community peacebuilding.

Promoting Hybrid Peacebuilding Through Media Engagement

The engagement, delivered through radio and television platforms, focused on the theme: “Hybrid Peacebuilding: The Role of Local Peace Committees in the Zongo Communities.”

The initiative sought to educate the public on how traditional authorities, religious leaders, state institutions, and community-based actors can work collaboratively to promote sustainable peace and social cohesion.

Key objectives included increasing awareness of the functions of Local Peace Committees in mediation, dialogue facilitation, early warning systems, and community engagement, as well as encouraging youth and women participation in peace processes.

The programme also addressed root causes of conflict in Zongo communities, including misinformation, youth unemployment, drug abuse, political tensions, and small arms proliferation.

Strengthening the Role of Local Peace Committees

Speaking during the engagement, the Regional Executive Secretary of ARPC, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Badu Amoah, emphasized that Local Peace Committees serve as grassroots structures for conflict prevention, mediation, and dialogue facilitation.

He explained that hybrid peacebuilding provides a framework where state institutions, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and community organizations collaborate to respond to emerging conflicts through inclusive and participatory approaches.

Rev. Dr. Amoah further highlighted key thematic areas of LPC work, including conflict prevention, community dialogue, peace education, tolerance promotion, youth engagement, and collaboration with security agencies.

He stressed the importance of involving women and youth in peacebuilding processes, noting that they are essential agents of social transformation and sustainable development.

Call for Collective Responsibility in Zongo Communities

The Chairman of the Zongo Local Peace Committee, Sheikh Ridwan Mama Dankonya, emphasized that peace begins with individual behavior in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

He noted that while Zongo communities are vibrant and contribute significantly to national development, they also face challenges such as misinformation, chieftaincy disputes, political tensions, drug abuse, and youth unemployment.

He urged community members to embrace collective responsibility and support Local Peace Committees by providing timely early warning information to help prevent escalation of conflicts.

Expected Impact

The outreach programme is expected to improve public understanding of hybrid peacebuilding approaches and enhance the visibility of Local Peace Committees. It will also strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, increase community participation in peace initiatives, and promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Ultimately, the initiative aims to reduce tensions, discourage hate speech, and build stronger trust between communities and peacebuilding institutions in the Ashanti Region.