Ashanti Regional Peace Council Trains Muslim Local Peace Committee Members on Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding

The Ashanti Regional Peace Council (ARPC), in collaboration with the Office of the Regional Chief Imam and the Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, has successfully organized a Capacity Building and Training Workshop for Muslim Local Peace Committee Members in Kumasi.

The workshop, held on Monday, 11th May 2026, at the Kumasi Central Mosque (Islamic Education Unit Conference Room), brought together 25 participants drawn from various Zongo communities. The training formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community-level peace structures and enhance conflict prevention mechanisms across the Ashanti Region.

Strengthening Community Peace Architecture

The primary objective of the workshop was to deepen participants’ understanding of peacebuilding, social cohesion, tolerance, and community conflict dynamics within Zongo communities. Participants were also equipped with practical skills in early warning detection, mediation, negotiation, active listening, and dialogue facilitation.

Key thematic areas covered included conflict identification, early warning indicators, and appropriate response strategies to prevent escalation of tensions into violence.

The training further sensitized participants on the dangers of misinformation, radicalization, hate speech, drug abuse, and other emerging threats to peace and stability. In addition, members were educated on the legal and social consequences of illegal possession and use of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Key Messages from Dignitaries

In her keynote address, the Chairperson of the ARPC, Dr. Harriet Takyi, emphasized that sustainable peace can only be achieved when communities transcend political, ethnic, and religious differences. She urged participants to see themselves not just as peace actors, but as custodians of dialogue, trust, and harmony within their communities.

The Board Member of ARPC, Baffour Asabere Kogyawoasu Ababio III, underscored the importance of trust, fairness, transparency, and consistent engagement in strengthening the credibility of Local Peace Committees.

Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Badu Amoah highlighted that peacebuilding is a continuous process requiring inclusiveness and collaboration. He emphasized the critical role of youth and women as active partners in peace processes, and not merely beneficiaries. His presentation also focused on mediation, negotiation, communication, and early warning systems as essential tools for conflict prevention.

The Regional Director of the Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Mr. Emmanuel Kenneth Oduro, warned against the unlawful possession of arms, describing it as a serious threat to community safety and development. He stressed that illegal possession of firearms is a criminal offense under Ghanaian law, punishable by arrest and imprisonment.

Expected Outcomes

The workshop is expected to significantly enhance the capacity of Local Peace Committee Members in conflict management and peacebuilding. It is also anticipated to improve collaboration among community stakeholders, strengthen early warning systems, and promote greater youth and women participation in peace initiatives.

Overall, the intervention aims to reduce community tensions and foster sustainable peace, unity, and social cohesion within Zongo communities in the Ashanti Region