Peace Education and Sensitization for Students on Conflict Prevention and Small Arms Awareness (Ashanti Region)

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 Nima Nasrudeen Islamic Basic School at Aboabo. The engagement focused on promoting peaceful coexistence among students, preventing violence in schools, and raising awareness on the dangers of illegal possession and use of small arms and light weapons.

The project aimed to equip students with knowledge and skills for non-violent resolution of differences, educate them on the consequences of illegal possession and use of small arms and light weapons, establish Peace Ambassadors Clubs in Junior High and Senior High Schools within the region, and deepen understanding of conflict and peaceful coexistence among basic and J.H.S students. These objectives were designed to strengthen a culture of peace and responsible behaviour among young people.

The expected outcomes included equipping students with non-violent methods of resolving differences, contributing to the prevention and combat of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country, improving understanding of peaceful coexistence among students while strengthening youth participation in conflict prevention, and developing a critical mass of future peacebuilders capable of positively impacting their communities.

The programme was funded by the Ashanti Regional Peace Council (ARPC) and the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission (SALW), and implemented in collaboration with Nima Nasrudeen Islamic Basic School and SALW. It took place on Tuesday, 9th June 2026 at Nima Nasrudeen Islamic Basic School, Aboabo.

Dignitaries present included Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Badu Amoah (Regional Executive Secretary, ARPC), Mr. Godwin Nana Amponsah (Senior Programmes Manager, ARPC), Mr. Emmanuel Kenneth Oduro (Regional Director, SALW), staff of the Small Arms Commission, and representatives from the school administration and teaching staff.

In his address, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Badu Amoah expressed concern about the rising levels of violence among young people in schools, noting that behaviours such as bullying, fighting, insults, threats, and destruction of school property pose a serious threat to peace and security. He emphasized that violence is never a solution and encouraged students to resolve disputes through patience, tolerance, self-control, respect for differing views, and dialogue. He further advised students to report grievances through appropriate school authorities rather than resorting to violence.

Mr. Emmanuel Kenneth Oduro, Regional Director of SALW, emphasized that peace is sustained not by weapons but by dialogue, justice, tolerance, and collective responsibility. He warned that the presence of illegal arms in schools threatens the safety of students and teachers and can result in serious consequences including injury, loss of life, suspension, expulsion, arrest, and criminal records. He stressed that unlawful possession of firearms is a crime in Ghana and urged students to report any movement or possession of weapons to prevent tragedies and irreversible harm.

The programme recorded the participation of over 100 students, who were sensitized on peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and the dangers associated with small arms and light weapons in school environments.