This is one of the thematic areas of PLG which seeks to promote peaceful coexistence within the society. Peace does not only entails the absence of conflict. Peace is health. It is prosperity and it is freedom. When people are involved in the decision making processes they feel part of the society and they support interventions and activities that are aimed at improving their socio-economic well-being. Involving people in local governance helps in achieving the developmental agenda of government.
“Changing the face of politics through the Peace Manifesto”
“Changing the face of politics through the Peace Manifesto” was a project that sort to empower women and youth in the West Mamprusi and Yagaba districts to actively participate in the 2012 election with the goal of contributing towards free, fair and peaceful elections.
Since the return of Ghana to constitutional rule in 1993, election violence are basically perpetuated and championed by the youth through the instigation of unscrupulous politicians who want to satisfy their political ambitions at all cost. This has resulted in a number of violent conflicts in the 2004 and 2008 elections in many communities in the two districts. A number of youth became handicapped and properties destroyed as a result. Women on the other hand, have been relegated to the background in political activities due to ignorance, illiteracy and fear of intimidation and violence.
This situation contributed to voter apathy among women in the two districts resulting in low women representation in assembly and parliament. The objectives of this project were to: 1: Increase the participation of Women and Youth in promoting peace building initiatives in the 2012 election 2: Improve peaceful co-existence among political parties and other political actors in the two districts. The project was very significant for three main reasons. It contributes to peaceful election within the West mamprusi and Yagaba districts using innovative media technologies and approaches.
The project also contributed in increasing the participation of women and youth as voters and peace promoters. The project further ensured that majority of the electorate exercised their franchise in the 2012 election there by contributing to the legitimacy of office holders and the democratic process of the country. The project fits well into the agenda of government, political parties, the electoral commission, religious bodies and the regional and national security apparatus commitment and efforts in ensuring peaceful election and the ultimate improvement of the living conditions of Ghanaians which is the overall aim of Peace for Life Ghana (PLG).
Peacebuilding Activities 2021
The Kofi Anan Peacekeeping and Training Center (KAIPTC)offered PLG the opportunity to enhance its capacity in gender and Security by enrolling one of our staff in a certificate courses in Gender and Security. PLG also organized peace camps, public lectures and round-table discussions in collaboration with African Students for Interfaith Tolerance (ASFIT) to enhance socio-cultural connectivity, conflict and interpersonal communication and leadership skills as well as building social cohesion among citizens in the West Mamprusi Municipality.
