Peace Council and ECOWAS Host Forum to Address Electoral Violence in Western North Region.

Sefwi-Wiawso: The Western North Regional branch of the National Peace Council, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has held a two-day stakeholder forum at Sefwi-Wiawso focusing on Electoral Violence and Violent Extremism. Reverend Samuel Nkuah Boateng, the Western North Regional chairperson of the Peace Council, emphasized the importance of empowering the youth as the most effective strategy to eradicate violence in society.According to Ghana News Agency, Reverend Nkuah Boateng highlighted that the youth often find themselves as both victims and perpetrators of violence, necessitating the provision of necessary training and employment opportunities to disengage them from extremism and violence. He expressed concern over the recurring issue of electoral violence in the region, which has manifested in forms such as intimidation, property destruction, and even loss of life.Reverend Boateng voiced his worries about how such violent acts undermine the credibility of th e electoral process and erode public trust in democratic institutions. He warned that this creates a cycle of fear and disillusionment, obstructing the country's progress towards establishing a strong and inclusive society.He advocated for a multi-stakeholder approach to tackle these challenges, involving the government, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, and the media in fostering peace and preventing violence. "We must prioritize education and awareness campaigns to promote a culture of tolerance and dialogue," he stressed.Reverend Boateng also urged political actors to commit to peaceful campaigns and called on security agencies to act impartially and professionally to ensure the safety of all citizens during elections. He acknowledged ECOWAS's efforts in conflict prevention, capacity building, and early warning systems, which he believed have yielded positive results, though he added that more work remains to be done.He emphasized that peace is a shared res ponsibility and that the region's future depends on the choices made today. Major stakeholders, including the Police, traditional authorities, political parties, NCCE, and the Electoral Commission, pledged their commitment to ensuring incident-free polls.