President John Dramani Mahama has praised the National Peace Council for its pivotal role in safeguarding Ghana’s peace and stability while warning of rising intolerance, chieftaincy disputes, and security pressures across the country.
Speaking during an engagement with the National Peace Council Board, President Mahama reflected on his involvement in the establishment of the Council during his tenure as Vice President, noting that Ghana’s peace architecture has now become a model for many nations.
“Since 2011, the Peace Council has worked hard and become unique in terms of our peace architecture. Many countries are studying what we have and looking to structure their institutions based on our model,” he said.
Chieftaincy and Land Disputes Stretch Security Forces
The President lamented the growing number of conflict zones resulting from chieftaincy and land disputes, which he said are draining the country’s security resources.
“You find a traditional area that has been peaceful for decades, but as soon as a ruler dies, competition and misunderstanding erupt into violence. It is putting a lot of pressure on our security services,” he stressed.
He cited Sampa, Nkwanta, Bawku and Savannah as areas where security contingents remain heavily deployed.
Religious Coexistence Still Ghana’s Strength
President Mahama applauded the country’s enduring religious harmony, stressing that Ghana’s conflicts are rarely driven by religious differences.
“It is one of the beauties of Ghana that we have different religions and yet live together peacefully. Most of our conflicts stem from chieftaincy and land disputes, not religion,” he said.
Commends MOU on Faith-Based Schools
He congratulated the Peace Council for its role in facilitating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on faith-based schools, describing it as “clear enough” in addressing concerns on diversity, fasting, and religious orientation.
Economic Stability, Jobs, and Government Accountability
President Mahama highlighted progress in stabilizing the economy over the last 11 months, citing improvements in inflation, the cedi, and food prices.
“Inflation has come down to single digits and we expect it could drop below 6% by the end of the year. The cedi has appreciated, and food prices are declining,” he noted.
He also touted the government’s “Big Push” agenda, including massive investment in the road sector, which he said is generating a multiplier effect in job creation.
On decentralization, he emphasized that the allocation of 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund directly to districts has empowered local development.
Call for Strong Faith in Democracy
Touching on regional instability marked by recent coups, President Mahama warned that Ghana is not immune if citizens lose trust in democratic systems.
“We must let our people have faith that democracy can deliver the opportunities they seek. If they lose faith, Ghana is not immune to coups,” he cautioned.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
