National Peace Council: Most under-resourced state institution
Since November 2017, when we were first sworn in as Eminent Members of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, a part of the National Peace Council of Ghana (NPC), our annual work plan has never received funding from the State or our employer.
The National Peace Council of Ghana (NPC) was established by an Act of Parliament—Act 818 of 2011.
This Act also created Regional Peace Councils and a Governing Board, forming the structure of the NPC.
The framers of the Act wisely included provisions for a "Peace Fund" to finance peace-building initiatives without over-reliance on the State.
Indeed, the Peace Fund was officially launched in 2018 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Teshie, Accra.
However, our goal of raising a minimum of one million US dollars was not achieved.
In fact, only a meagre GH¢400,000 was realised, while the government and key stakeholders have yet to fulfil their pledges.
Despite the active involvement of the Ministries of Interior and Defence in launching the Peace Fund, securing sustainable contributions has remained a challenge.
The work of the National Peace Council and its regional branches is crucial to Ghana's peace and stability, yet only a small section of the population truly appreciates its significance.
Unfortunately, many take our peaceful environment for granted.
The Peace Council works tirelessly, often behind the scenes.
As an Eminent Member, I can confidently assert that we have played a role—directly or indirectly—in resolving nearly all major crises, conflicts, and violent disturbances in this country.
However, our work demands discretion, and we do not publicly highlight our achievements.
It is, therefore, unsurprising that political actors frequently invoke the Peace Council whenever issues arise in the country.
Given our critical role, one would assume that the State, which employs and pays seating allowances for all Peace Council members, would prioritise funding our annual activities.
However, this has not been the case—at least not in the past seven years since I joined the Council as the representative of the Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana, as mandated by law.
None of the Regional Peace Councils—including the National Governing Board—can confidently say they receive their already modest seating allowances on time.
These allowances, which are also taxed, are meant for just quarterly meetings, yet delays of up to a year are common. If even our seating allowances are neglected, it is unsurprising that our proposed work plan budgets go unfunded.
It may surprise many to learn that the National Peace Council—comprising sixteen regional Peace Councils in a nation of 33 million people with an annual revenue of approximately 200 billion cedis—requires just 20 million Ghana cedis (less than two million US dollars) to fund its 2025 activities.
Yet, this amount is neither captured nor budgeted for by the State. It is as though we expect religious and traditional leaders, alongside development partners, to shoulder the nation’s peace-building responsibilities.
This is both unfortunate and unacceptable, especially as a new government takes office.
Peace, stability
There is much to be done to sustain Ghana’s peace and stability, yet those at the helm often fail to recognise the dangers ahead. Consider the troubling incidents in our senior high schools.
Ghana, historically the most peaceful and stable democratic country in West Africa, now witnesses students attacking their peers with machetes over trivial disputes during school games.
It is often said that politicians create societal messes, leaving religious and traditional leaders to clean up after them.
I commend the sections of our society that have boldly condemned student violence.
However, we must also call out the disgraceful behaviour of certain Members of Parliament who engaged in violent acts during recent vetting processes.
Young people look up to religious and traditional leaders, but they also observe the reverence these leaders afford politicians.
When politicians themselves resort to violence—broadcasting their misconduct on national television—they set a terrible precedent for the youth.
Shame on all involved! You have failed as role models.
To address these challenges, the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council (GARPC) plans to establish Peace Ambassadorial Groups in senior high schools nationwide.
These groups will promote peacebuilding, tolerance, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, fostering relationships from secondary school through the tertiary level.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding from the State and development partners, this initiative—conceived in 2020—has yet to materialise.
The writer is eminent member and chairman, finance and fund-raising committee, GARPC, National Peace Council/Executive Secretary, Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana/ADR, Human Rights and Islamic affairs consultant.
