{"id":291627,"date":"2025-04-07T12:00:32","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T11:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=291627"},"modified":"2025-11-17T12:01:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T12:01:16","slug":"teaching-peace-nurturing-young-peacemakers-in-ghana-through-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2025\/04\/teaching-peace-nurturing-young-peacemakers-in-ghana-through-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Teaching Peace: Nurturing Young Peacemakers in Ghana through Education"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Students of St Paul’s Catholic Basic School been taught a peace education lesson. Photo by CPRC<\/p><\/div>\n

26 Mar 2025 –\u00a0<\/em>In a region where ethnic and religious diversity sometimes fuels tension, Ghana stands out as one of West Africa\u2019s most peaceful nations. This reputation, however, cannot be taken for granted.<\/p>\n

In September 2024, Ghana experienced incidents of violence over upcoming elections<\/a>. Other countries in the region such as Mali<\/a> and Guinea<\/a> have dealt with ethnic and religious violence in recent decades, including violence committed by youth.<\/p>\n

But efforts are being made to sustain harmony, particularly through peace education in schools. Peace education and sensitization programs aim to empower students as peace ambassadors. Schools across the Ashanti and Central Regions of Ghana are teaching peace education, where students learn conflict resolution skills, social justice principles, and the value of peaceful coexistence.<\/p>\n

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Students of Aggrey Memorial Senior High School being taught a peace education lesson, photo by CRPC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cGhana is a diverse country with different tribes and religions. Despite this, we have remained peaceful,\u201d said Dr. Charles Ohene-Amoh, the Regional Executive Secretary of the Central Regional Peace Council<\/a> (CRPC) of Ghana\u2019s National Peace Council<\/a> (NPC).\u00a0 \u201cTo sustain this, we must instill the culture of peace in our young people,\u201d he told Peace News Network (PNN).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Promoting Peaceful Coexistence in Diversity<\/strong><\/p>\n

In January 2025, the CRPC collaborated with St Paul\u2019s Catholic Basic School to educate students on peacebuilding, which is crucial for the country\u2019s future stability.<\/p>\n

The initiative was a peace education sensitization program themed \u201cPeaceful Coexistence in Diversity.\u201d The program focused on: strengthening students\u2019 understanding of peaceful coexistence, reducing classroom conflicts and bullying, promoting peer mediation, and conflict resolution. Dr. Ohene-Amoh emphasized the need for peace education in schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that one of the most effective ways to prevent conflicts is to educate the youth on how to live in harmony\u2026 Schools provide the perfect setting because students are already gathered in large numbers, making it easy to reach them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Students of St Paul\u2019s Catholic Basic School being taught a peace education lesson, photo by CRPC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He highlighted that schools reflect the country\u2019s diversity, with students from various ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. The program teaches them to embrace differences rather than allow them to become sources of conflict.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we visit schools, we see Muslims, Christians, and traditionalists learning together. We teach them to appreciate their diversity and to coexist peacefully. The results have been encouraging.\u201d<\/p>\n

The initiative has already shown positive outcomes. When the CRPC revisits schools where the program has been implemented, they observe noticeable improvements in student interactions. \u201cWe see fewer conflicts among students. They have become more tolerant and better at resolving disagreements peacefully,\u201d Dr. Ohene-Amoh added.<\/p>\n

Peace Education as a Tool for Conflict Prevention<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beyond promoting peaceful coexistence, the program also prepares students for the future. Many of them may later join law enforcement agencies or other security sectors, where their conduct will be scrutinized.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made them understand that their behavior in school could affect their future careers. Many didn\u2019t realize that background checks are conducted before recruitment into security services,\u201d Dr. Oene-Amoh said.<\/p>\n

He said that additionally, the program introduced peace classes in schools where students voluntarily learn about conflict resolution and earn certificates for their participation. While attendance is not mandatory, students who participate are encouraged with certificates. This motivates them, Dr. Ohene-Amoh explained, to take peacebuilding seriously and apply these lessons in their communities.<\/p>\n

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Students of St Paul\u2019s Catholic Basic School being taught a peace education lesson, photo by CRPC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Ghanaian government has also contributed to maintaining peace in schools by banning demonstrations within educational institutions. This has significantly reduced violence on school premises. \u201cSince the ban, we have not recorded any violent attacks in schools. Combined with peace education, this has created a safer learning environment,\u201d Dr. Ahone-Amoh said.<\/p>\n

Youth and Political Manipulation<\/strong><\/p>\n

One major concern in many African nations is the role of youth in political violence. Politicians often exploit<\/a> young people\u2019s energy and passion, leading them into conflicts. However, with proper peace education, students are less likely to be used as tools for political violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith peace education, the youth will understand the dangers of being manipulated for political purposes. They will think critically before engaging in violent acts,\u201d Dr. Ohene-Amoh stated.<\/p>\n

The Challenge of Funding<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite the program\u2019s success, funding remains a significant challenge. The CRPC struggles to reach all 23 districts in the region due to financial constraints. \u201cWe write to organizations for support because our resources are limited. Without adequate funding, it is difficult to reach every student who needs this education,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrain a Child, and They Will Not Depart from It\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Barbara Yabom, the CRPC\u2019s Program Manager, described Ghana as one of Africa\u2019s most peaceful countries, largely due to its emphasis on peace education. She cited a biblical proverb, \u201cWhen you train a child in the right way, they will not depart from it when they grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

She emphasized that many young people who engage in violent behavior come from backgrounds where conflict resolution skills were not taught. She said that by training them in peacebuilding early, \u201cwe hope to create a generation that values harmony.\u201d<\/p>\n

To Yabom, peace education should be a continuous process to instill the values of forgiveness and tolerance. \u201cWe have received delegations from countries like Malawi and Ivory Coast who come to learn how Ghana maintains its peace. Peace education is part of our success story.\u201d<\/p>\n

She stressed that peace education should not only focus on adults, and noted that it is unfortunate that some people think it should. Yabom added that children are future leaders, and that teaching them these skills now will help them grow up to be responsible citizens who resolve conflicts peacefully.<\/p>\n

Calls for Peace Education in the Curriculum<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sam, a senior high school tutor from Aggrey Memorial A.M.E Zion Senior High School Mr Appiah whose school participated in the peace education program, advocated for peace education to be included in the national curriculum, saying that it would help address the \u201cculture of impunity\u201d among students, and reduce their exposure to violent influences from social media.<\/p>\n

He noted that many students are unaware of the laws governing juvenile violence. \u201cSome think they can act violently without consequences because they are young. But with education, they will understand that even in school, they must obey the law.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Students of Aggrey Memorial A.M.E Zion Senior High School during a peace education talk, photo by CRPC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Appiah\u00a0believes peace education in schools plays a vital role in shaping students\u2019 moral values. \u201cIf we sustain this effort, we will raise a generation of young people who value peace. \u201d<\/p>\n

While challenges such as funding issues persist, the impact of peace education in Ghanaian schools is evident. By instilling values of tolerance, respect, and conflict resolution in students, Ghana is not only securing its present peace, but also building a future where harmony prevails.<\/p>\n

As Dr. Ohene-Amoh aptly put it: \u201cPeace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice and tolerance.\u201d<\/p>\n

______________________________________________<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>Mohammed<\/a> is a multimedia\u00a0 freelance journalist in Kaduna State, Nigeria.\u00a0He graduated\u00a0from the International Institute of Journalism Abuja. In 2016 Mohammed received the Courage in Journalism Award for his investigative reporting, from the\u00a0Africa Media Development Foundation.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Go to Original – peacenews.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

26 Mar 2025 – Schools in Ghana are teaching peace education; students learn conflict resolution, social justice, and peaceful coexistence. Exploring joint initiatives between schools and Ghana’s National Peace Council.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":291634,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[127],"tags":[237,258,432,995],"class_list":["post-291627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-africa","tag-africa","tag-education","tag-education-for-peace","tag-ghana"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291627"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291627\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":291635,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291627\/revisions\/291635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/291634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=291627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=291627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}