The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) has held a graduation ceremony for twenty-nine (29) beneficiaries of the Women Peace and Security Project titled “Enhancing the Technical Expertise of Women Peacebuilders in Ghana in Mediation, Negotiation, Community Peace Building and Mentoring” in Accra on 17th February, 2022.
The beneficiaries of the training program included Queen Mothers, Senior Lectures in the top 3 Universities, Political Parties, Security Experts, Practitioners and some Youth from 12 regions in Ghana. Twenty (20) of the beneficiaries are party to the Peace Councils; 7 from CSOs and 3 from Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP)
The project was funded by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) managed by the Canadian High Commission in Ghana.
Addressing participants at the Ceremony the former Chair of the National Peace Council (NPC), Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi disclosed that NPC is grateful to see FOSDA taking steps to correct the anomaly of the lack of the 30% women representation in public leadership positions. He added that the NPC had seen growth from of its governing board from 7% to 23% but more important to the Council is to continuously enhance the capacity of the women with the requisite skills in peace processes. He was hopeful that the NPC will be in a better position to select trained women form the graduands to serve on the NPC in future to help in resolving the many conflicts in Ghana.
FOSDA’s board member, Mad. Magdalene Kannae reiterated that the project is premised on the low numbers (13% of negotiators, 6% of mediators and 7 out of 10 peace processes do not include women mediators) when it comes to women participation, engagement and representation in conflict management and resolution processes even though scientific data show that peace agreements are more sustainable when women are involved.
With a call for support, she noted that FOSDA and her collaborators have decided to form a National Network of Women Mediators to join the Women Mediators across the Commonwealth and other national and international groupings to continue mentoring more young women so that they get interested in women peace and security issues in Ghana, African and the world at large. She was hopeful that this will contribute towards implementing the second National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Resolution 1325.
In the their congratulatory and support messages, the Executive Secretary of the NPC Mr. George Amoh said the NPC is grateful to FOSDA for the capacity given to beneficiaries from the peace council and he called on them to be more practical with the knowledge gained.
Ms. Annika Allman (Counsellor for Political and Public Affairs, Canadian High Commission) added that considering the level of collaboration and project design FOSDA has been able to deliver this project that modest in size but mighty in impact and successfully leveraged on partnership and kept women at the center. She added that the skill gained should be used not only at the international and national levels but sub-national and grassroots levels to enhance the sustainability of Peace in Ghana.
The Program Officer of MoGCSP Vera Karikari also added that the beneficiaries should take steps to mediate conflict situations in their communities and work places as a way of building their skill set for a bigger task in future. The 10 weeks hybrid (Physical and Virtual) training program was delivered by Janet Adama Mohammed of Peace Legacy Africa.