Appointment to Ghana’s National Peace Council Chance “to learn, to build peace”: Prelate

Ho, 14 November, 2020 / 9:22 PM

A Ghanaian Bishop who was recently appointed as a member of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council (NPC) in the West African nation has, in an interview with ACI Africa correspondent, described his nomination as an opportunity to learn and contribute to the building of peace in the country.

Bishop Emmanuel Kofi Fianu of Ghana’s Ho Diocese was among 12 other Ghanaians representing different religious and social groups in the country appointed as members of the governing Board of the NPC on November 10 by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

In the Thursday, November 12 interview, Bishop Fianu said, “I see it as an exposure and opportunity to learn while making my humble contribution to peace in Ghana.”

The member of Society of the Divine Word (SVD) described his nomination to represent members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) as humbling.

“When I was asked to represent the GCBC on the Board, l felt inadequate. There are senior Bishops who are more experienced and could do better than myself but I accepted the nomination in all humility,” the 63-year-old Ghanaian Prelate told ACI Africa correspondent November 12.

As members of the NPC Board, the 13 representatives of religious and social groups are expected to “promote peace in Ghana at all times, the election period inclusive,” Bishop Fianu said.

“Peace is very important for all times,” he said and added referencing the upcoming December 7 polls, “Elections are tense moments so it is important to assure that all people do what is right, and refrain from provocative action.”

Looking toward the tasks ahead, Bishop Fianu said, “The Council has taken some initiatives before the inauguration of the Board and I hope we can support and sharpen these initiatives to secure peace before, during and after elections.”

Established under an Act of Parliament in 2011, the NPC aims at facilitating the development of mechanisms for cooperation among all relevant stakeholders in peace building by promoting cooperative problem solving to conflict.

Members of the Council that is decentralized at regional and district levels across the country are also charged with the responsibility of preventing, managing, and resolving conflict with an aim of building sustainable peace. 

During the November 10 inauguration ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said that the NPC has become a reference point in addressing conflicts, especially those related to elections in the country.

The Head of State urged the new members of the council to “continue the good work done by your predecessors and employ the most appropriate strategies that will continue to contribute to sustain the peace beyond the 2020 elections.”

“You are a distinguished and eminent group of Ghanaians who the nation expects to be up to the task,” President Akufo-Addo told the NPC Board members. 

The Board that has a four-year mandate comprises representatives from GCBC, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, National House of Chiefs, Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Ghana, NPC, National Council for Christian and Charismatic Churches, Christian Council of Ghana, Practitioners of African Traditional Religion, Tijaaniya Muslim Group, and Al-Sunnah Muslim Mission, among others.