Tears filled the eyes of staff of the Upper East Regional Peace Council as they bid farewell to Mr Ali Anankpieng, the outgoing Executive Secretary, during a send-off ceremony in Bolgatanga.
The atmosphere grew emotional when a citation in his honour was read, capturing the breadth of his immense contribution to peacebuilding and the deep bonds he had formed with colleagues over the years.
Many were visibly moved as his leadership, mentorship, and compassion were acknowledged.
After 12 years of meritorious service, Mr Anankpieng stepped down, leaving behind a legacy described by colleagues as “exceptional”.
Key representatives from Coginta, Coastal State Stability Mechanism (CSSM), the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organization (NABOCADO), Youth Harvest Foundation, RISE Ghana, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Regional Coordinating Council, among others, attended the ceremony.
In a citation in his honour, the staff and council members praised him for his humility, tireless work ethic, and his ability to mediate complex conflicts across communities.
His tenure, which spanned over a decade, according to them saw the Council gained regional and national recognition for effective conflict resolution and peace promotion initiatives.
“For twelve impactful years, you served with distinction as the Executive Secretary of the Upper East Regional Peace Council. In this capacity, you devoted your time, strength and wisdom to the promotion of peace, dialogue and understanding across the region.
“Your leadership contributed significantly to the prevention and resolution of conflicts, fostering a legacy of stability and harmony in our communities.
“Your tireless commitment to meeting the demands of peacebuilding and your willingness to shoulder the workload of our partners and stakeholders has been nothing short of commendable. You led with vision and compassion, often placing the needs of others above your own and always doing so with grace and humility.
“Beyond your professional acumen, you were a pillar of support and compassion to your staff. With a soft heart and fatherly care, you nurtured a workplace culture grounded in respect, empathy and mutual growth.
“Your exemplary human resource management skills left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to work with you,” it emphasised
In heartfelt tributes, the stakeholders and partners lauded him for his selfless dedication and compassion for the promotion of peace and dialogue in the region.
Alhaji Sumaila Isaaka, Chairman of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, described him as man of wisdom, who during his tenure mediated sensitive community disputes, and built bridges between traditional authorities, civil society, and security agencies.
Madam Priscila Nyaaba, Executive Director of Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana, noted that one of the milestones during his tenure was the creation of a unified platform that brought together civil society actors in the security space to collaborate, strategize, and collectively advance the cause of peace.”
“He is worth the tears we are all seeing in the room because he has made remarkable impact and cannot easily be let go,” she added
Alhaji Awal Ahmed Kariama, Executive Director of Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment (RISE-Ghana), described Mr Anankpieng as a leader who was deeply committed to the growth of all organizations.
He noted that beyond providing valuable capacity-building opportunities, Mr. Anankpieng also facilitated vital linkages between local organizations and donor partners.
Mr Vitus Domevi Yelewere, Operations Manager at Conginta-Ghana, described Mr Anankpieng as a dependable peacebuilding expert who has consistently demonstrated his expertise and commitment throughout his years of engagement with Conginta.
In recognition of his unwavering efforts to prevent discrimination against the Fulbe community and to foster harmony and understanding between communities, the Fulbe community presented him with a cow as a token of their deep appreciation.