The 2023 World Bank reports reveal that 19.1 trillion US dollars is annually spent on Economic Conflict Environment. According to the President General of the Center of Awareness Global Peace Mission, Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, this negatively affects budget allocation for the realization of SGDs. Professor Samuel Ato Duncan disclosed this during the launch of the Blueprint for Sustainable Global Peace in Accra.
Addressing the gatherings of traditional rulers, politicians, security agencies, and many more, he noted that despite numerous interventions by the UN and other global civil society organizations to foster universal peace very little impact has so far been realized. This, he noted continues to render precious lives and the world’s scarce resources wasteful.
To this end, the need for his NGO, Center of Awareness Global Peace Mission, in collaboration with the National Peace Council, launched the Blueprint for Sustainable Global Peace at the Accra International Conference Center. Professor Samuel Ato Duncan noted that God stands for peace and love, so the people should emulate him.
He called on politicians to be truthful, submissive, and accountable to those who elected them into power for a peaceful and better Ghana for all. He said the impression that peace is just the absence of wars is misleading. Professor Samuel Ato Duncan also pleaded with Ghanaians not to think that support received from the UNO can guarantee them butter and bread. He disclosed that the UNO spends a chunk of financial resources on global conflict resolution instead of promoting socio-economic and infrastructural development.
Professor Samuel Ato Duncan cited 19.1 trillion US dollars used by the union on conflict prevention as a clear example. However, he was optimistic that launching the Blueprint for Sustainable Global Peace would ensure clubs formed in the security agencies and other sensitive institutions would curb possible conflicts in the country. He noted that recent findings by his organization have shown that peace in the country can be compromised if care is not taken. He therefore called on all to ensure peace prevails in the country before, during, and after the 2024 elections.
The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the event chairman, commended the President General of the COA Research Manufacturing Company Limited, Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, for his initiative to promote global peace and urged all to support it. He said as the nation is on the threshold of its historical democratic elections, the citizenry should uphold the rights and privileges enshrined in the country’s constitution. The Ga Mantse also pleaded with political parties to commit to peace before, during, and after the upcoming elections.
Ghanaian presidential aspirant and founder of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, raised concerns about the ongoing conflict in Bawku and the need for an immediate governmental intervention to address the situation. He held a counter-view to the President General of the COA Global Peace Mission, Professor Samuel Ato Duncan, that love and imitation of the nature of God lead to peace in the country. To Dr. Hassan Ayariga, hungry and greedy politicians fuel conflicts for their parochial interests. He said after electing them into political office, such ungrateful politicians neglect the ordinary masses, and divide and rule the people, sometimes on tribal, religious, and partisan political lines. He said this situation is prevalent in Ghana and elsewhere in the world. He therefore called on stakeholders like the media and religious leaders to support the Blueprint for Sustainable Global Peace to foster peace worldwide.
An independent presidential candidate for the 2024 elections, George Twum-Barima-Adu, called on the citizenry to be more responsible and not allow power-conscious politicians to use them to foment troubles. He suggested that the government incorporate Blueprint’s agenda for peace into the curriculum of basic and second-cycle educational institutions.
The Director of the Electoral Commission in charge of Training, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, reaffirmed the EC’s resolve to organize transparent and credible 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. He also pleaded with the media to do their best to disseminate factual information and promote peace.
The president of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, who pledged GJA’s commitments to promote peaceful 2024 elections, voiced concerns about reported unprovoked attacks on journalists by politicians and security agencies.
The COA Research Manufacturing Company Limited Board Chairman, Daasebere Kwebu Ewusi, assured the company will allocate half its profit to support the Blueprint for Sustainable Global Peace.
Professor Osei Bonsu graced the event on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
“Unearthing The Purpose Of Creation And Goal Of Humanity; A Necessary Foundation For Attaining Sustainable Global Peace,” was the occasion’s theme.
