The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has recently organized a significant two-day workshop known as the ‘2024 Teshie Homowo School’ aimed at enhancing the capabilities of traditional leaders and Chiefs in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, particularly relevant as Ghana approaches its 2024 General Election. Taking place from October 3 to 4, the workshop is part of KAIPTC’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and is in partnership with the Teshie Traditional Council. Its primary objective is to build the capacity of traditional leaders, empowering them to foster community resilience against potential conflicts and positioning them as influential agents of change within their communities.
At the workshop’s opening ceremony, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, the commandant of KAIPTC, emphasized that the initiative is designed to reinforce the roles of traditional leaders in promoting effective governance and security. He noted that the insights and expertise gathered from the chiefs would significantly contribute to the formal governance structures, thereby enhancing aspects such as human rights promotion, accountability, and national development. According to him, traditional leaders hold a vital position in bridging the gap between the community and formal political systems, ensuring that local concerns are addressed effectively through a collaborative governance framework.
Major General Gyane stressed the crucial importance of traditional leaders maintaining political neutrality, urging them to focus on pressing community issues including illegal mining practices and conflict management. He articulated a vision for these leaders to serve as the conscience of their communities, safeguarding the rich cultural and natural heritage that they embody. By avoiding entanglement in the complexities of contemporary African politics, chiefs can remain true to their responsibilities as custodians of culture and social cohesion, thereby ensuring that community integrity is maintained throughout the electoral process and beyond.
The sentiments echoed by Major General Gyane were reinforced by Teshie Mantse Gbetsoolo Nii Ashitey Akomfra III, who commended KAIPTC for the timely nature of this training initiative. He expressed optimism that the skills and knowledge imparted during the workshop would prove invaluable for the participating traditional leaders. Similarly, Mr. Enoch Addo, the Registrar of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, reminded chiefs of their crucial roles as community leaders and protectors of the Chieftaincy Institution amidst a challenging political atmosphere. He articulated a sense of urgency for traditional leaders to lead by example, as the public increasingly looks toward their institutions for integrity and guidance.
The offerings of the workshop include various learning modules focused on equipping traditional chiefs with the necessary tools to foster peace, unity, and development within their communities while gearing up for the forthcoming elections. Participants are expected to engage with essential concepts of conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding, underpinned by foundational legal principles such as the Chieftaincy Act and the 1992 Constitution. The initiative is set to empower a group of 40 traditional chiefs, aiming to provide them not only with theoretical knowledge but also practical skills that can be applied in their daily roles as leaders.
This two-day workshop represents a proactive approach by KAIPTC to mitigate potential conflicts and reinforce community leadership as Ghana heads toward a pivotal electoral season. The focus on traditional leadership is crucial, as these leaders play a significant role in maintaining social stability and promoting peaceful coexistence among community members. By involving traditional leaders in these discussions and training, KAIPTC seeks to foster a more robust societal framework that can withstand the pressures of political shifts and contribute positively to the overall stability of Ghana, thus ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
