Earlier this year, the Secretariat of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council (GARPC) shared a draft working plan for its 2025 activities, inviting eminent members to contribute ideas and review budget estimates.
During deliberations at the first quarterly board meeting, a crucial observation was made by a member of the Finance and Fundraising Committee, which I have chaired for the past two years. The concern centered on the budget—undoubtedly the lifeblood of our proposed programmes. Without adequate funding, all our efforts over the past weeks, like those in previous years, risk becoming futile.
For the benefit of our dear readers and peace-loving Ghanaians who cherish sustainable peace as the foundation for sustainable development, let me offer some clarity.
Since November 2017, when we were first sworn in as Eminent Members of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, a part of the National Peace Council of Ghana (NPC), our annual work plan has never received funding from the State or our employer.
The National Peace Council of Ghana (NPC) was established by an Act of Parliament—Act 818 of 2011. This Act also created Regional Peace Councils and a Governing Board, forming the structure of the NPC. The framers of the Act wisely included provisions for a “Peace Fund” to finance peace-building initiatives without over-reliance on the State.
Indeed, the Peace Fund was officially launched in 2018 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Teshie, Accra. However, our goal of raising a minimum of one million US dollars was not achieved. In fact, only a meagre GH ¢400,000 was realised, while the government and key stakeholders have yet to fulfill their pledges. Despite the active involvement of the Ministries of Interior and Defence in launching the Peace Fund, securing sustainable contributions has remained a challenge.
The work of the National Peace Council and its regional branches is crucial to Ghana’s peace and stability, yet only a small section of the population truly appreciate its significance. Unfortunately, many take our peaceful environment for granted.
The Peace Council works tirelessly, often behind the scenes. As an Eminent Member, I can confidently assert that we have played a role—directly or indirectly—in resolving nearly all major crises, conflicts, and violent disturbances in this country. However, our work demands discretion, and we do not publicly highlight our achievements.
It is, therefore, unsurprising that political actors frequently invoke the Peace Council whenever issues arise in the country. Given our critical role, one would assume that the State, which employs and pays siting allowances for all Peace Council members, would prioritise funding our annual activities. However, this has not been the case—at least not in the past seven years since I joined the Council as the representative of the Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana, as mandated by law.
I take my role on the Peace Council seriously and serve with both pride and humility. I feel particularly honoured when high-ranking officials from neighbouring countries and beyond visit us to learn about our programmes and how we navigate Ghana’s diverse society—one with a history of military interventions in governance.
Visitors to the National Peace Council headquarters often arrive with high expectations, anticipating a monumental institution reflecting our contributions to peace and stability. The reality, however, is far from this. Despite our impactful conflict resolution efforts, which enhance Ghana’s global reputation as a peaceful and stable country, I am deeply disappointed by the government’s neglect of this vital institution.
A closer look at the Peace Council’s activities reveals that we actively engage with traditional and religious leaders, politicians, women’s groups, and civil society organisations. These stakeholders are integral to the Council’s composition and work. The drafters of the Act ensured that the structure of the Council commands respect for both the institution and its Eminent Members.
Yet, none of the Regional Peace Councils—including the National Governing Board—can confidently say they receive their already modest sitting allowances on time. These allowances, which are also taxed, are meant for just quarterly meetings, yet delays of up to a year are common. If even our sitting allowances are neglected, it is unsurprising that our proposed work plan budgets go unfunded.
During our first quarterly meeting, we sought to implement activities that have been on the drawing board for the past seven years but remained unexecuted due to financial constraints. The events surrounding the 2024 elections underscored the urgency of these programmes, not only in Greater Accra but across the nation.
A committee member rightly pointed out that securing funding should take precedence over approving an annual work plan. As a result, we concluded that the public must be made aware of our challenges and our commitment to national development.
It may surprise many to learn that the National Peace Council—comprising 16 regional Peace Councils in a nation of 33 million people with an annual revenue of approximately GH¢200 billion— requires just GH¢20 million (less than two million US dollars) to fund its 2025 activities. Yet, this amount is neither captured nor budgeted for by the State. It is as though we expect religious and traditional leaders, alongside development partners, to shoulder the nation’s peace-building responsibilities. This is both unfortunate and unacceptable, especially as a new government takes office.
There is much to be done to sustain Ghana’s peace and stability, yet those at the helm often fail to recognise the dangers ahead. Consider the troubling incidents in our senior high schools. Ghana, historically the most peaceful and stable democratic country in West Africa, now witnesses students attacking their peers with machetes over trivial disputes during school games.
It is often said that politicians create societal messes, leaving religious and traditional leaders to clean up after them. I commend the sections of our society that have boldly condemned student violence. However, we must also call out the disgraceful behaviour of certain Members of Parliament who engaged in violent acts during recent vetting processes.
Young people look up to religious and traditional leaders, but they also observe the reverence these leaders afford politicians. When politicians themselves resort to violence—broadcasting their misconduct on national television—they set a terrible precedent for the youth. Shame on all involved! You have failed as role models.
To address these challenges, the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council (GARPC) plans to establish Peace Ambassadorial Groups in senior high schools nationwide. These groups will promote peacebuilding, tolerance, interfaith, and intercultural dialogue, fostering relationships from secondary school through the tertiary level. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding from the State and development partners, this initiative—conceived in 2020—has yet to materialise.
Additionally, GARPC aims to collaborate with Municipal and District Assemblies to establish Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in every district. Our goal is to foster long-lasting relationships among disputing parties, avoiding the adversarial nature of court proceedings, which often result in winners and losers, breeding resentment and discord among families and communities.
Through this article, I humbly appeal to the Government of Ghana and our development partners to take the National Peace Council seriously. The NPC, its Governing Board, and Regional Peace Councils play a crucial role in preserving Ghana’s unity, peace, and stability. It is time we receive the support necessary to fulfill this mission.
The writer is an Eminent Member and Chairman, Finance and Fundraising Committee, Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, National Peace Council of Ghana.
Executive Secretary, Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana.
BY ALHAJI KHUZAIMA MOHAMMED OSMAN