Mr Zia Choudhury, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, has urged students and the youth to take active roles as agents and promoters of peace in the schools and communities to ensure development.
He said peace, a priceless commodity that must be maintained at all times, placed a responsibility not only on adults, parents, organisations and government but on children, students and the youth to take actions to ensure peace in their communities.
Mr Choudhury said: “You also have a role to play in maintaining peace. It begins with what you do today, what you buy, what you share and how you treat others. Peace is everyone’s responsibility. It cannot be meant only for governments or international organizations.”
He said this at the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, organised by the National Peace Council and the United Nations, Ghana on the theme: “Act Now for a Peaceful Ghana: Addressing Youth Delinquency in Second-Cycle Schools.ā
The event brought together peace and security analysts, security personnel, parents, teachers and students from Labone Senior High School, Accra Girls Senior High School and Kanda Technical Institute, who shared their experiences, perspectives and grievances on the theme.
The UN Resident Coordinator said conflict, no matter where it started from, whether it was between two people or a few people, could escalate and affect all other social groupings and it was imperative for young people everyday to make choices that could reduce violence.
“You can build trust for your community. Peace requires courage and persistence. It is not about every single sermon, it doesn’t matter Friday or Sunday. Peace means daily actions and sparking conversations that build understanding,” he said.
“It also requires challenging discriminatory language wherever we hear it and taking time to check facts before posting or sharing any information. These may feel like small acts but multiplied across society, they create a culture of peace,” Mr Choudhury added.
He called on parents and families to imbibe in their children tolerance and mentorship, school authorities to strengthen schools, individuals, communities, international partners and government to contribute their quota in ensuring peace in schools and across the country.
Most Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Chairman, National Peace Council (NPC), who chaired the event, urged the parents and school authorities to listen to the grievances of the young people and use good examples to guide and mentor them.
“We need to give them space to voice out their issues. In the absence of such space they may do things their own way and we may consider them delinquents,” he said.
The Chairman said the peace campaign should not only target young people within the formal education sector but those in the informal sector and in communities to be law abiding and disciplined.
MrĀ Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, Spokesperson for the National chief Imam and Board Member, NPC, advised the students to be conscious of their actions during their youthful stage since it is a crucial stage of transition into responsible and successful adulthood.
“When you missed that stage, it can lead you to a terrible and regrettable life. Be careful with friends in your schools and communities, you have the chance to choose between what is good and bad. Your choice determines your values,” he added.
The International Day of Peace is commemorated September 21 every year. It was first established by the United Nations in 1981 to promote peace and encourage people to stop violence and conflict. In 2001, the UN declared it a day of global ceasefire and non-violence.