Volta Regional Peace Council Equips Alavanyo Senior High Technical School Students with Peacebuilding Skills
The Volta Regional Peace Council has organized a Peace Education Programme for students of Alavanyo Senior High Technical School under the theme “Understanding Conflict and Building Peaceful Co-existence.”
The programme, held on 29th June 2026 at Alavanyo Senior High Technical School, formed part of the National Peace Council’s ongoing efforts to promote peace education among young people and strengthen their capacity to manage conflicts constructively.
The initiative sought to enhance students’ understanding of conflict as a normal part of human interaction while promoting positive approaches to conflict resolution. It also aimed to equip students with practical skills in communication, negotiation, active listening, and peer mediation, while fostering mutual respect, tolerance, inclusion, and appreciation of diversity within the school community.
The event was attended by Rev. Seth K. Mawutor, Chairman of the Volta Regional Peace Council; Alhaji Anass Dawuda, Member of the Volta Regional Peace Council; Dr. David Esinu Yao Normanyo, Regional Executive Secretary of the Volta Regional Peace Council; Mrs. Beauty Eyornam Atsu, Headmistress of Alavanyo Senior High Technical School; Mrs. Juliet Semanu Adipa, School Counsellor; members of staff; and students of the school.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. David Esinu Yao Normanyo explained that conflict is a natural part of everyday life and should not be feared but rather managed constructively. He encouraged students to recognize that disagreements become destructive only when they are handled through anger, violence, intolerance, or poor communication.
He urged the students to become “builders” rather than “fighters” or “runners” by embracing dialogue, active listening, empathy, and mutual respect whenever conflicts arise. According to him, the ability to manage disagreements peacefully is an important life skill that contributes to personal growth and healthy relationships.
Drawing examples from the school environment, Dr. Normanyo observed that many serious conflicts often begin as minor misunderstandings which, when ignored, can escalate into violence. He therefore encouraged students to communicate respectfully, manage their emotions before reacting, seek mediation where necessary, and work towards solutions that benefit all parties involved.
He further challenged students to become Peace Ambassadors by rejecting bullying, discrimination, and all forms of violence. He reminded them that every student has a responsibility to promote unity, respect school rules, support reconciliation among peers, and contribute to creating a peaceful and safe learning environment.
Dr. Normanyo concluded by emphasizing that lasting peace begins with individual choices and everyday actions that demonstrate respect, understanding, responsibility, and a willingness to coexist peacefully with others.
The interactive session provided students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the causes and effects of conflict and to learn practical approaches to resolving disagreements peacefully. Discussions focused on communication, empathy, respect for diversity, and the importance of dialogue in fostering harmonious relationships within the school community.
The programme is expected to contribute to increased awareness of peaceful conflict management among students, improved interpersonal and communication skills, greater appreciation of diversity, and a strengthened culture of peace within the school.
The National Peace Council remains committed to promoting peace education in educational institutions across Ghana as part of efforts to nurture responsible young citizens who can contribute positively to peaceful coexistence and national development.
