Ashanti Regional Peace Council Organizes Peace Education and Sensitization Programme for Students at Nasiriya Islamic Basic School

The Ashanti Regional Peace Council (ARPC), in collaboration with the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission (SALW), organized a Peace Education and Sensitization programme for students of Nasiriya Islamic Basic School on Tuesday, 20th May 2026.

The programme formed part of ongoing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among students, deepen understanding of conflict prevention, and educate young people on the dangers associated with the illegal possession and use of small arms and light weapons.

The engagement also sought to encourage the establishment of Peace Ambassadors Clubs within Junior High and Senior High Schools across the region in order to strengthen youth participation in peacebuilding initiatives.

Among the dignitaries present were Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Badu Amoah (Regional Executive Secretary, ARPC), Mr. Godwin Nana Amponsah (Senior Programmes Manager, ARPC), Mr. Emmanuel Kenneth Oduro (Regional Director, Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission), Mr. Antwi Boasiako (Headmaster, Nasiriya Islamic Basic School), staff of the Small Arms Commission, and representatives of the school administration and teaching staff.

Addressing the students, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Badu Amoah expressed concern over the growing incidents of violence among students in some Junior High and Senior High Schools, describing the situation as a threat to peace and security within schools and communities.

He explained that student violence can take several forms including bullying, fighting, insults, threats, intimidation, and destruction of school property. According to him, such actions create fear, disrupt academic activities, and negatively affect relationships among students.

He emphasized that violence is never the solution to disagreements and encouraged students to resolve conflicts peacefully through patience, tolerance, self-control, dialogue, and mutual respect. He further advised students to use appropriate school channels to address grievances instead of resorting to violence.

Speaking on the dangers of illegal arms possession, Mr. Emmanuel Kenneth Oduro, Regional Director of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission, highlighted that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons continues to pose a major threat to peace and security in Ghana.

He cautioned that the presence of weapons in schools threatens the safety of students, teachers, and the entire learning environment, and can result in injuries, loss of lives, arrests, school suspensions, expulsions, and permanent criminal records.

Mr. Oduro stressed the importance of reporting suspicious movements of weapons within communities to prevent violence and protect lives. He reminded students that unlawful possession or use of firearms and weapons in Ghana is a criminal offence punishable by arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment.

The programme strengthened students’ understanding of peaceful conflict resolution, responsible behaviour, and the importance of maintaining safe and violence-free school environments.

Over 150 students, together with school authorities and teachers, participated in the sensitization programme.

Participating institutions included the Ashanti Regional Peace Council (ARPC), the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission (SALW), and Nasiriya Islamic Basic School.