Project Catch Them Young: Empowering Children For Tolerance And Peaceful Coexistence
The Eastern Regional Peace Council (ERPC), in collaboration with the Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), has organised a sensitisation programme for children in Nkurakan and its surrounding communities to promote tolerance, respect and peaceful coexistence from an early age.
Held on 28 August 2026 at the Nkurakan Presby Church, the programme brought together approximately 250 children between the ages of 5 and 15 years, including Sunday School pupils from different churches within Nkurakan and its environs.
Building a Culture of Peace from Childhood
The programme, organised under Project Catch Them Young, sought to help children understand the importance of living peacefully with others despite their differences. Through age-appropriate discussions and practical scenarios, participants explored how tolerance, respect, kindness, patience and forgiveness can help prevent disagreements from escalating into conflict.
The children were also encouraged to avoid behaviours such as bullying, insults, fighting and discrimination, while learning to use dialogue and peaceful communication when faced with disagreements.
Speaking during the programme, Mr. Osmond Appiah, Senior Programme Manager and keynote speaker, highlighted the importance of appreciating differences among children, noting that children come from diverse backgrounds and may have different opinions, abilities, personalities and experiences.
He encouraged the children to practise tolerance, respect and forgiveness in their daily interactions, emphasizing that forgiveness can help prevent misunderstandings from developing into conflict and strengthen friendship and unity.
Bintu Abdul Kareem, an NSS Personnel, further encouraged the children to remain patient and calm when dealing with disagreements. She urged them to listen to others, think carefully before responding and choose peaceful communication rather than resorting to fighting.
Nurturing Young Ambassadors of Peace
The programme also encouraged the children to become young ambassadors of peace by serving as positive influences among their peers and promoting friendship, unity, respect and non-violent behaviour in their homes, schools, churches and communities.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Prince Albert Koomson, Executive Secretary of the Eastern Regional Peace Council, urged the children to put the lessons they had learnt into practice and to become good examples to their peers.
He stressed that introducing children to the values of peace, tolerance and peaceful conflict management at an early age is important in nurturing responsible individuals who can contribute positively to their communities.
Mr. Koomson expressed appreciation to the Child Evangelism Fellowship, Nkurakan Presby Church, facilitators and participating children for their support and active participation in the programme.
A Shared Commitment to Peace
The successful implementation of Project Catch Them Young demonstrates the value of community-based partnerships in promoting a culture of peace among children.
Through continued collaboration between the Eastern Regional Peace Council and Child Evangelism Fellowship, children are being encouraged to develop the attitudes and skills needed to build positive relationships, manage disagreements peacefully and contribute to safer and more harmonious communities.
Peace begins with what we teach our children today.
Programme at a Glance
- Project: Project Catch Them Young
- Theme: Sensitisation on Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence
- Date: 28 August 2026
- Venue: Nkurakan Presby Church
- Participants: Approximately 250 children
- Age Group: 5–15 years
- Location: Nkurakan and surrounding communities, Eastern Region
- Collaborating Agencies: Eastern Regional Peace Council (ERPC) and Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF)
