Chiefs Of Abudu And Andani Royal Gates Receive Training in Conflict Management

A two-day training programme in conflict management for 20 chiefs and 24 elders from the Andani and Abudu royal Gates has ended at Yendi in the Northern Region.

It was organised by the United Nations Joint Programme on Human

Security in collaboration with the Dagbon Traditional Council.

Topics discussed included Human Security concept, conflict and

causes of conflict, types of conflict and understanding conflict,

escalation and de-escalation of conflict, conflict prevention - early

warning signs, and the spectrum of conflict handling mechanisms, among

others.

The Programme Manager of UN Joint Human Security Programme, Mr

Edward Adimazoya, stated that since December 2009 the United Nations

(UN) system in Ghana and other partners had been implementing the

joint Human Security Programme in selected communities in the three

Northern Regions.

Mr Adimazoya indicated that the programme which had the title

�Enhancing Human Security Through Developing Local Capacity for

Holistic Community-based Conflict Prevention in Northern Ghana,� was a

joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO),

UNICEF, UNDP, UNIDO UNU and the World Food Programme (WFP) in close

collaboration with the Government of Ghana, civil society

organizations, academia and other partners.

He said the three-year programme was funded by the Government of

Japan through the UN Trust Fund for Human Security (UN-TFHS).

�The programme targets Bawku, Yendi, Tamale and Wa which have

been identified as the four conflict-prone areas in the three Northern

Regions,� he said, adding that it sought to empower local

institutions, communities and individuals to prevent and manage

conflicts in Northern Ghana as a means to ensuring sustainable human

security in the area.

Mr Adimazoya indicated that the programme adopted a

multidimensional approach with international components in local

capacity development, conflict prevention, income generation, food

security and human security concept.

He said in the Yendi Municipality the priority communities

included Nayilifong, Guntingle, Balogu, and Kumfong.

The UN Joint Human Security Programme Field Specialist for Yendi,

Mr Salifu Dammah indicated that the conflict management workshop for

the chiefs of the two Gates was meant to equip them and their elders

with knowledge and skills for holistic community based conflict

prevention and enable them to anticipate and respond constructively

and sensitively to issues of conflict in their areas.

Mr Salifu stated that relationship building was no marginal

activity but that it was the key in creating sustainable

peace-building process. He said the theme for the training, �The more

we sweat in peace, the less we bleed in war,� was very appropriate.

The Yendi Divisional Police Commander, Chief superintendent

Charles Damanban, expressed appreciation to the chiefs from the two

royal Gates for attending the training programme in the search for

peace in Dagbon.

He thanked the UN Joint Programme on Human Security and the

Dagbon Traditional Council for organizing the programme.

In their recommendations, the chiefs appealed to the UN Joint

Programme on Human Security to empower the chiefs of the two Gates to

enable them to contribute effectively to the peace process.

They stressed the need for the two royal Gates in the Dagbon

Crisis to tone down the blame game and to seek peace.

They acknowledged that in the interest of building peace and

trust, chiefs of the two Gates should exchange visits regularly to

improve upon communications between the two sides.

The chiefs also called on the UN Joint Programme to create jobs

for the youth in the conflict-prone areas to enable them to channel

their energies into productive ventures.

Source: GNA