Dec. 7 elections: PeaceJam Ghana trains agents for peace

About 70 young adults in the Upper West Region of Ghana have been trained by the West Africa Centre for Peace Foundation,(WACPF) the official chapter of  PeaceJam Foundation – USA in Ghana to serve as mentors for the upcoming PeaceJam Ghana Slam.

Scheduled for November 30, 2024 at the Wa Technical Institute, the PeaceJam Ghana Slam is a one-day conference that will gather hundreds of students from Junior High Schools (JHS) and Senior High Schools (SHS) across the region. The event, themed “Empowering the Future: Peace Education Initiative for the Young People in the December 2024 Ghanaian Elections,” aims to equip young people with the tools and values needed to act as ambassadors of peace and become active participants in maintaining a peaceful electoral process.

The PeaceJam programme, which is built around the work and wisdom of Nobel Peace Prize laureates, provides a unique platform for young people to learn from some of the world’s most influential figures in peacebuilding.

Executive Director of the WACPF, Mr. Wisdom Addo said the PeaceJam Ghana Slam in Wa is especially timely, as it comes just ahead of Ghana’s crucial 2024 general elections in December.

“With political tensions often running high during election periods, especially among young voters, the training initiative is part of a larger effort to ensure that the upcoming elections are marked by peaceful, respectful, and informed participation,” Mr. Addo said.

The selected mentors, who have undergone intensive peace-building training, will play a pivotal role in guiding their peers, helping them understand the importance of peace in the electoral process, and encouraging them to reject violence and division. They are expected to lead discussions, facilitate workshops, and provide mentorship to younger students, ensuring that the message of peace is passed on to future generations.

For his part, the Coordinator for PeaceJam Ghana in the Upper West Region, Mr. Joffrey Kwarteng said the training and slam at this time it is happening is crucial because, “The youth are the future of Ghana, and their involvement in the political process, especially in terms of promoting peace and harmony, is crucial for the country’s stability. By empowering them now, we’re not just preparing them for the 2024 elections, but for leadership roles in the years to come.”

This initiative is part of a broader national effort to involve young people in the peace-building process ahead of the 2024 elections, following the commitment of various organizations and government bodies to ensure that Ghana’s democratic process remains free from violence. The country’s history of peaceful transitions of power has earned it a reputation as a home of stability in the West African Sub-region, and initiatives like the PeaceJam Ghana Slam are pivotal in maintaining this legacy.

The mission of the WACPF is to equip youth with essential skills in peacebuilding, leadership, and nonviolence, fostering a deep understanding and commitment to peace and justice. It aims to expand young people’s knowledge of various conflict aspects while encouraging lifestyles that prioritize conflict resolution.

Additionally, it seeks to create a platform for youth to actively engage in community service, focusing on human rights issues, and inspiring them to become leaders who champion peace and justice in their communities.

The Slam is sponsored by The Points Guy, Rotary Clubs of Cleveland, Golden, Portland and West-Bay Village