Ghana must give peace a chance as the world observes remembrance day
In November 2004, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared May 8 and 9 as a time for remembrance and reconciliation.
This was to offer all members states the opportunity to reflect on the atrocities of the Second World War and also find ways of sustaining world peace.
Although, the UN recognised that member states may have their individual days of victory, liberation and commemoration, it enjoined all member states, organisations of the United Nations System, non-governmental organisations and individuals to observe annually either of the days as appropriate manner to pay tribute to all victims of the Second World War.
As a sequel to this, the UN General Assembly by resolution 64/257 invited all member states, organisations of the UN systems to observe the day in an appropriate manner to pay tribute to all victims of the Second World War.
In the words of the Assembly, this historic event established the conditions for the creation of the United Nations, and was designed to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
The UN called upon member states to unite their efforts in dealing with new challenges and threats, with the UN playing a special role in that direction.
As part of the call, a solemn meeting of the General Assembly in commemoration of all victims of the war was held in the second week of May 2010, marking the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The Secretary-General described the Second World War as “one of the most epic struggles for freedom and liberation in history,” adding that, “its cost was beyond calculation, beyond comprehension: 40 million civilians dead; 20 million soldiers, nearly half of those in the Soviet Union alone.”
The global communities must avoid acts that can plunge the world into a third world war. The UN and the international community should find amicable solutions to wars in the world, particularly between Israel and Gaza, and Russia and Ukraine.
It is also against this background that Ghana too, should step up efforts to protect the peace of the country and not toyed with it.
Peace, a priceless asset, is a sine-quanon to development, and must be jealously guarded. Without it, there would be no stability and the country cannot be developed.
Thus, traditional leaders, development partners, civil society organisations and well-meaning Ghanaians must come together and support the government to fashion out strategies to end the numerous conflicts across the country, which could derail the nation’s development.
Mention can be made of the Bawku conflict, and other numerous disputes raging across the country.
The Bawku situation in particular is a scar on the conscience of the country, considering the lives and properties which have been lost through the conflict.
Individual, organisations, traditional authorities, and other opinion leaders should give peace a chance and co-exist peacefully.
We have one country and must do all we can to protect our sovereignty.
Politician and other opinion leaders should keep out of all conflicts and rather pull their weight behind peace process.