Northern Youth Groups Sign Peace Agreement

Representatives of youth groups from the Northern Region, has signed a peace agreement in Koforidua assuring the public that they were prepared to maintain peace and order in the north and Ghana as a whole. At a national youth forum in Koforidua organized by Global Youth Network, Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Mr Salifu Issah, representing Nanumba students union, Mr Bilson N. Andrew, representing Kokomba students union, Mr Mboda K. Osman, Mamprusi representative and Prince Abuarago Edward, Kusasi representative, signed the agreement. Mrs Helen M. Osei, Secretary General, Universal Peace Federation (UPF)-Ghana, Mr George Opare-Addo, Akuapem North District Chief Executive, representing the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and Mr Jawol Bisunna-Titus, Chief Executive Officer, Global Youth Network, Ghana, witnessed the signing. Earlier in a speech, Mr Bisunna-Titus reminded the youth that they represented the leadership of tomorrow and therefore had to take the challenge to be peace ambassadors of the nation. “It is time we recognized that we have something to offer the country and begin to act now.” Mr Bisunna-Titus noted that if the nation would achieve its objective of peace and the Northern Sector would attain peace, it would depend to a large extent on the youth. He, therefore, challenged the leadership of institutions and organizations in Ghana to join hands with the Global Youth Network to make peace a reality in the country. Mr Bisunna-Titus expressed worry about how media houses were compromising morality and ethics of the profession saying: “Some of our leaders, who are supposed to be the icons of the nation, are exploiting the opportunity of freedom of expression to trade insults and allegations on each other even in open air when our young ones are listening”. He noted that if such situation continued it could create tension in the forth-coming Assembly elections and the 2012 general elections. Mr Opare-Addo also challenged the youth to sustain the peace in the country to promote development. He indicated that one could not develop without peace adding that there is no substitute for peace. Mr Opare-Addo advised the youth to tolerate each others’ view “to help Mother Ghana to develop”. Mrs Osei urged the youth to consider a universal vision of peace, based on core values.“We also need to consider the principles that will allow us to move from a state of conflict to a state of peace, from resentment to reconciliation, from enemy relationships to relations of true love”. Mrs Osei urged that people must move beyond “My people” are only those of the same skin color, gender, ethnic background, nationality or religious ideology.