AN URGENT PLEA

A gentle reminder beams through the sunshine,
A subtle echo swims through the breeze,
Reminding us about the tears of our common home. With the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, which mother EARTH gives freely,
Are we able to honestly account for our Stewardship?
Are we confident to say we have been fair to nature?
Are we proud of how we are managing our natural resources and our Environment?

What can YOU and I do differently in our little ways to STOP further degradation of our environment?

Although the answer is it nature, we need to rethink our odd ways and support efforts to redeem our natural environment.
When we deliberately take care of the environment, we’re taking care of ourselves and future generations.

We don’t have to do everything at once but small actions matter.
We must commit ourselves to make PEACE with Mother earth by saving our waterbodies, reducing waste, planting a tree, or simply being mindful of how we live and leverage on nature.
Through these little but intentional actions in our homes and communities, we can protect our planet and leave something beautiful for future generations. 🌍💚
"Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Future Generations" is clarion call to humanity to ACT right.
#NowforClimate is not just a slogan but an urgent plea to do the needful things we ought to do NOW. 

Hope for Life Launches Ruby Anniversary

The Hope for Life Project in Accra has launched its 40th Anniversary with an appeal for Christians to continue supporting efforts to empower Persons with Disabilities in our society.

At a holy Mass to commence the Anniversary at the St. Francis of Assisi Parish at Awoshie, Rev. Fr. Richard Anobel, reminded the faithful to look up to God in every situation and charging the PWDs to never lose hope. 

Reflecting on the on the Gospel of the day, the Priest entreated the faithful never to lose hope in God, noting that He always inviting us to trust in His providence. 

He urged the faithful to extend a hand of support to empower persons with disability in our society.

 The President of the Association, Mr. George Kyei, who together with Fr. Anobel launched the anniversary, commended the Catholic Church especially the Society of African Missions (SMA) Ghana Province for their contributions in starting the Hope for Life project.

He acknowledged the founding fathers and the great difference the project has contributed to the lives of hundreds of beneficiaries and mentioned Fr. Pius and Bro. Pascal Torsenu for their support.  

 The Hope for Life project which started in December 1986 at Queen of Peace Parish, Madina by Fr. John, SMA with a couple of PWDs, has now grown to 800 members and 18 branches in the Greater Accra, Eastern and Central Regions.

As part of efforts to sustain the Association, established a bakery and mushroom at Gbawe Zero in the Weija Municipality in Accra.

The President of the Hope for Life has over the years supported several beneficiaries to acquire essential trade skills, to setup self-help project as well as offering psychosocial support, facilitating surgeries and medication for PWDs.

As part of the anniversary, which is on the theme: “Empowered Together, Celebrating the Association’s Journey and Achievements,” the organisers have outlined a number of programmes including Media Engagements, Exhibition, Dinner and Fundraising.

Other activities are cleanup exercise, Durbar and Appreciation events to celebrate the collaborators who supported the Hope for Life initiative over the years. 

The Administrator of the Hope for Life Association, Ms. Stephanie Amartey recounting the impact the Association has made in the lives of persons with disabilities with hundreds of beneficiaries becoming self-reliant. 

She noted that some beneficiaries have become Teachers, Cobblers, Artisans, Dress makers, with others acquiring trade skills soap and bead making as well as farmers among others. 

She thanked the benefactors of the Hope for Life Association for their support over the years.  She also commended the two SMA lay missionaries who are offering care kids with disabilities among other interventions.

Peace Council Honours Fr. Thaddeus

The National Peace Council (NPC) has honoured Very Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Kuusah, President of the National Union of Ghana Catholic Diocesan Priests' Associations and Administrator of the Our Lady of Anunciation Cathedral Parish, Tamale for his dedicated services in supporting peacebuilding in northern Ghana.

Hon. Alhaji Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, Minister for Interior in celebrating him, presented a citation, acknowledging his contributions to the resolution of several conflicts during his tenure as the first Northern Regional Executive Secretary for the National Peace Council from 2013-2025.

Another honouree was Mr. Douglas Ali Anankpieng former first National Peace Council Upper East Region Regional Executive Secretary. 

Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Chairman of the NPC Governing Board and Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, applauded the duo for their distinguished services to the nation and wished them a hearty and wonderful retirement. 

He commended them for their tremendous contribution to the peace and stability of the country and urged them to continue sharing their rich experiences to sustain the peace in the country.

The recognition of the duo was done during the Cooperate Governance and Public Financial Management Training for Directors and Regional Executive Secretaries in Accra. 

In a citation, the Council praised them for their significant contributions in securing the office facilities for the Northern Regional and the Upper East Regional Council respectively.

 

The Council mentioned their roles in resolving the Dagbon and Dorba-Kandinga conflicts among other strides in peacebuilding.

On behalf of the honouree, Fr. Thaddeus expressed appreciation to the Council for the honour done them, saying it was wonderful working with the Council and for contributing to the peacebuilding. 

He equally called for more Government funding in advancing the peace of the Country.

In all, Fr. Thaddeus had served for 22 years in public service, first as the Northern Regional Peace Coordinator, before becoming the National Peace Council Executive Secretary for Northern Region. 

Nkwanta Peace Talks Yield Results

The traditional leaders and community representatives from Adele, Akyode, and Challa ethnic groups have stated their commitment to ensure lasting peace returns to Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region.

The leaders made the pledge after a two-day dialogue facilitated by the National Peace Council at Nkwanta with the traditional leaders signing onto a 13-point declaration to end the conflict and to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Pledge for Peace

Representatives of each traditional area, including Nana Boafo Amoah IV, for the Adele Traditional Council, Nana Obombo Lupowura Serwura II, Paramount Chief of the Akyode

Traditional Council, and Nana Addo Kenewu Chedderi, Jojane of the Challa Traditional area, signed the declaration to reaffirm their commitment to respect the agreement and to work towards peace in Nkwanta and surrounding communities.

The leaders including their respective Queen mothers and the youth representatives pledged to collaborate to address outstanding issues through inclusive and non-violent approach to renew peacebuilding processes in Nkwanta.

Appeal by National Peace Council

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, in a remark commended the traditional leaders for their commitment to work towards peace in Nkwanta.

He lauded their readiness to sign the peace declaration, urging them to nurture, sustain and develop the commitments they made.

Touching on the essence of peace, Bishop Fianu stated that peace and development could only be realised and maintained in an environment built on trust, forgiveness, fairness, tolerance, compromise, cooperation, and the non-violent resolution of differences.

He equally entreated the media to be circumspect in their reportage and to help sustain and amplify the agreement rather than inflame tensions.

The Peace Dialogue 

The Nkwanta Peace Dialogue was convened to address ongoing tensions and conflicts within the Nkwanta area, promote reconciliation among stakeholders, and to develop sustainable pathways to long-term peace. The session, aimed at creating neutral platforms and developing actionable recommendations for peaceful coexistence, brought together traditional leaders, security personnel, the media and Official from the National Peace Council.

Participants in the dialogue acknowledged the misery, pain, insecurity, and disruption caused by the protracted conflict, which has largely stemmed from disputes over land and chieftaincy in Nkwanta.

They reflected on the escalation of hostilities that re-emerged in November 2021 and the severe toll the situation had taken on lives, property, livelihoods, and social cohesion.

The traditional leaders from the three groups expressed deep concern about rumours, mistrust, and fear that had strained relationships, weakened community bonds, and increased the economic and social costs of the conflict.

Key Reaccommodation

Among key agreements reached at the dialogue include the following: that the peaceful coexistence of the three ethnic groups is paramount.

The illegal importation of firearms into the Nkwanta Municipality must cease immediately.

There must be a cessation of all armed violence by the three main feuding parties, Adele, Akyode, and Challa, and allied groups, with a commitment to non-violent methods of conflict resolution.

All ethnic groups within the Nkwanta South municipality must accord security agencies’ respect and avoid interfering in the discharge of their lawful duties.

Security agencies must investigate and conclude all reported cases of violence involving all parties, including Adele, Akyode, Challa, and any other residents within the municipality.

All citizens of Nkwanta are to cease sharing rumours and misinformation through social media and all other channels that undermine peace.

The leadership of Adele, Akyode, and Challa, and allied groups, must immediately call on their people particularly the youth to cease violent and armed attacks regardless of provocation and to engage with the joint implementation and monitoring committee to be established.

All parties must show utmost respect for each other’s rights and dignity while continuing engagements to resolve the dispute.

As part of the roadmap to peace, three ethnic groups agreed to set-up a joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee to ensure the realisation of the commitments outlined in the peace declaration document.

NPC, Partners boost Peace strides with DRIVE INDEX

To bolster Ghana's continuing commitment to peace, stability, and democratic resilience, the National Peace Council (NPC) and its allies launched the Development and Resilience Index Against Violent Extremism (DRIVE INDEX).

Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Chairman of the NPC Governing Board, in a statement read on his behalf  noted that the Drive Index is "a cutting-edge, evidence-based decision-making tool designed to help the state and its partners understand what makes communities resilient—or vulnerable—to violent extremist influence," said.

"The DRIVE INDEX provides us with precise, localized, and actionable data to guide prevention efforts by integrating community perceptions, psychosocial factors, governance indicators, and development realities," he stated.

The planned pilot, which runs from October 2025 to June 2026, focuses on co-creation, national ownership, and institutional engagement. The project will take place in the five Northern regions of Ghana because of the risk from cross-border threats.

Hoff Mirko, Deputy Director of Resilience for Peace in a presentation showcased the essence of the DRIVE-Ghana, the measuring the resilience and how to deliver.  

Dr. Edward Apratwum, Head of Governance and Inclusive Growth at United Nations Development Programme, stressed that sustainable peace requires the attainment of security, social development, noting that peace was not the absence of conflict.

The DRIVE-Ghana aligns with Ghana’s existing frameworks, including the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism. By embedding DRIVE indicators into national and local planning processes, we can strengthen coordination among institutions, optimize resource allocation, and ensure that policies are guided by evidence rather than assumptions.

Chance for Childhood empowers Parents of children with disabilities

Chance for Childhood (CfC), a child-centred NGO promoting safe and inclusive learning environments, has launched a Livelihood Empowerment Initiative to support parents of children with disabilities participating in CfC’s Inclusive Education Project in Accra.

The initiative aims to improve household income, reduce financial stress, and enhance educational opportunities for children with disabilities by strengthening the economic resilience of their families.

As part of the programme, CfC awarded small grants totalling GH₵100,000.00 to 20 parents to enable them invest in sustainable livelihood activities. Beneficiaries used the funds to purchase start-up kits and expand existing businesses, including sewing machines, deep freezers, container shops, convenience goods, cosmetics and food items.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Richard Opoku, Inclusion and Safeguarding Lead at Chance for Childhood, highlighted the persistent economic challenges faced by families of children with disabilities.

“Despite progress in access to education, many parents of children with disabilities continue to face economic hardship. Parents often sacrifice their financial stability to care for their children. Through this initiative, we are empowering parents to create sustainable livelihoods that strengthen their families and ensure that children with disabilities can learn and thrive in inclusive environments,” he said. 

Mr. Opoku added that by equipping parents with financial literacy skills and access to small business opportunities, CfC were supporting them to generate stable incomes to have positive impact on education, inclusion and overall well-being of their children with disabilities.

In addition to the grants, parents participated in a five-day financial literacy training facilitated by Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd. The training covered key topics such as budgeting, savings and small-scale business management. Opportunity International also supports the programme by managing savings accounts opened for all participants.

Beneficiaries of the initiative shared how the support has transformed their livelihoods and ability to care for their children.

“The support came at the right time. My trading capital had reduced, but the grant helped me restock and keep my business running. I no longer worry about closing down. With the investment made into my business, I am now able to buy medication for my child when the one provided at the eye clinic finishes,” said Abigail Asiamah.

“Before the CfC grant, I could only buy a small quantity of items to sell. With the support, I expanded my stock, and now customers no longer leave my table because what they need is always available. This school term, I was able to save to pay my children’s school fees and provide books for them,” added Rahinatu Musah.

The Livelihood Empowerment Initiative is implemented with funding support from Theirworld, and aligns with CfC’s mission to ensure that every child can live with dignity and reach their full potential, regardless of ability or background.

NPC PREACHES PEACE IN SCHOOLS

The Department of Capacity Development and Outreach (CDO) of the National Peace Council (NPC) has rounded up a series of engagement with15 Senior High/ Technical Schools with a call on students to be agents of peace. 

The sensitisation exercise which engaged over 22,500 students encouraged students to reject violence and always adopt nonviolent ways of addressing grievances.

The NPC Governing Board Member, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, speaking to Students at the Kanda Technical Institute in Accra, tasked students to be disciplined, respect authority, and be tolerant of each other.

Noting that "discipline is the bridge between your aim and your goals in life" Sheikh Shaibu urged the students to be careful about the choices they made in life to utilise the investment in their education. 

The Director of Capacity Development and Outreach, NPC, Mrs. Janet Sarney-Kuma, who took them through the mandate of the National Peace Council, highlighted the values of peace, tolerance, discipline, respects, cooperation and non-violence to enhance peaceful coexistence at the school.

She entreated students to eschew violence, coexist peacefully with others while sharing some practical ways of addressing and managing conflicts among students and within the school’s space. 

The Director explained the causes and effects of conflicts and how they impacted on our society, and encouraged students to be advocates and Ambassadors of Peace.

The Principal of the Institute, Madam Emily Akua Sam thanked the delegation from the NPC and for the messages they shared with them.

She noted the essence of promoting peace and expressed the hope of working with NPC to keep on sensitising students on peaceful coexistence.

Essence of School Campaign

The recent upsurge of incidents violence in schools caused harm, deaths and destruction of some school properties. To quell the rate of these incidents the National Peace Council rolled out School Violence Prevention and Sensitisation Programme across some selected Senior High Schools in Greater Accra Region.

 

The initiative geared towards promoting peaceful coexistence among students, largely equipped school authorities with tools to prevent and manage conflicts effectively. By addressing the root causes of violence and fostering a culture of tolerance, the NPC aims to make schools spaces safer and conducive for teaching and learning. 

Schools Engaged

The CDO spearheaded the campaign engaged 15 Senior High/ Technical Schools, including St. Margaret Mary Senior High Technical, Kinbu Senior High Technical, Accra Technical Training Centre, Amasaman Senior High Technical, and Ordogonno Senior High Schools.

Others were St. John's Grammar School, Accra High, O’Rielly Senior High, Christian Methodist Senior High, and the West African Senior High as well as Ngleshie Amanfrom Senior High and Tema Senior High Schools.

An Honourable Truce

In the truce of a Tuesday, are tests of our testaments.
But as we trace the interests in our tents while talking our tastes, we ought to be mindful of our collective survival.
As missionaries on this mission of a life theatre, we must be willing to act right with condour.

With appeals for a dutiful honourable truce, we must guard against complacency, even as we internalise equity, fairness and respect for the common good.
Greetings from me to you.

©KYB ✍🏿22/10/2024

Live, Learn Leverage

Every sunrise is an opportunity to live.

Every new day is a gift to live and learn.

Every new week is a mystery pack moment for us to live, learn and leverage for our growth. 

Please take care and stay positive, even as you utilise these moments. Greetings 🌿🌹

©KYB ✍🏿21/10/2024

Appreciate Them

Not all people will like you.

Not all people will believe you.

Not all people will accept you.

Not all people will support you.

Not all people will care for you.

But if you find the few who care,

Appreciate and cherish them.

May your day be blessed.

©KYB ✍🏿17/04/2024

WRC STRATEGISE TO ENHANCE ITS WORK

Staff of the Water Resources Commission (WRC), have reinforced their resolve to improve water resources management in the country with new strategies.

The Acting Executive Secretary of WRC, Dr. Bob Alfa speaking at a Retreat programme for staff of the Commission in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, noted the essence of the retreat to reflect on ways to enhance the work of the Commission. 

The participants reflected on the performance of the Commission and recommended ways to improve upon the visibility, funding, and water resources management. 

As part of the Retreat under the theme: Improving Operations of the Commission, the staff toured the White Volta Secretariat in Bolgatanga, Paga Crocodile Pond, and Tono Dam. 

#WaterResourcesCommission

#waterresourcesmanagement