The Ashanti Regional Peace Council is stepping up efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among Zongo communities in the region and challenge perceptions that portray such communities as violent and lawless.
As part of the initiative, the Council has trained members of an existing Zongo Peace Committee to help monitor communities, identify potential flashpoints, and mediate disputes to maintain peace and security.
The committee, made up of Islamic clerics, Zongo chiefs and community leaders, underwent intensive training aimed at strengthening their conflict resolution and peacebuilding skills.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, May 7, Chairperson of the Ashanti Regional Peace Council, Dr Harriet Takyi, said the training was necessary to equip committee members with the tools needed to effectively handle disputes within their communities.
“For peace to prevail in communities, we needed to equip them with the knowledge and skills to mediate in conflict situations. They were already operating, but we came in to train them so they would be better prepared to continue their work as peacemakers in the community,” she said.
Ashanti Regional Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Zakaria Al Shoukry, described the initiative as timely, citing increasing chieftaincy disputes and tensions within some Zongo communities.
“If you look at the rate at which chieftaincy disputes and related issues are happening within our Zongo communities, this programme will go a long way to help maintain and restore peace. I commend the organisers for this important initiative,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executives for Asokore Mampong and Old Tafo expressed concern over the growing abuse of drugs among the youth in their areas, warning that the menace could undermine peacebuilding and development efforts.
He called for urgent interventions to address substance abuse, stressing that sustainable peace cannot be achieved if the problem persists in the communities.
