Otumfuo Satisfied With Composition Of Reconstituted Peace Council

The occupant of the Golden Stool, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has expressed his satisfaction with the composition of the reconstituted Ashanti Regional Peace Council (ARPC).

The regional chapter of the Peace Council which was reconstituted in December 2022 is made up of representatives of the Catholic Bishop Conference, the Christian Council, the Ghana Pentecostal Council, the National Council for Christians and Charismatic Churches, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, the Al-Sunnah Muslims, the Tijaaniya Muslim Group, Practitioners of the African Traditional Religion, Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC) and identifiable groups.

Following an introduction of the Council to the King by its Chairman, Rt Rev Nuh Ben Abubekr on August 30, 2023, during a courtesy call at the Manhyia Palace, Otumfuo expressed satisfaction with the composition.

“I am satisfied with the composition. It has pastors, Christians, Muslims and various groups.”

He said this puts the council in the right position to tackle any form of dissension that may arise in the Christian or Muslim communities or cross communities for an amicable solution.

Work
Speaking on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Peace Council, the Chairman, Rt Rev Nuh Ben Abubekr said the Council has put in place some outlines to promote peace.

Among them, he said are weekly broadcasts on Garden City Radio to preach peace. That does not end there; he said representatives are also deployed to schools to imbibe the virtue of peace in the youth.

Also, he said a number of conflicts including a land dispute at Suame have been handled while many other chieftaincy and land disputes are still pending on their table.

Challenges
A major challenge to their work comes in the aspect of conflict resolution.

Rev Abubekr said respondents in land and chieftaincy conflicts often take entrenched positions and refuse to honour their invitations for resolution.

Another challenge, he named was a need for a separate Office from the Regional Coordinating Council so they can ply their mandate smoothly. They, therefore, pleaded with the King for a land for the Office.

He said there are already sponsors standing by to finance the construction of the Office if only land is made available.

Addressing the delegation which included Baffour Owusu Bediako, the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs representative, Hakeem Baidoo, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission representative and others, Otumfuo expressed his joy at the peace and harmony with which Christians and Muslims in the country dwell together.

Underscoring the need for peace in every country, he said, “Peace is paramount that is why the Council has been established.”

He said traditional authorities are playing their part in peacebuilding through the resolution of chieftaincy and land disputes, upholding honesty in the process and, therefore, directed the Council to submit a list of all chieftaincy disputes proving difficult to solve to his Office.

On their plea for land for an office, his Majesty promised to consult his chief in charge of his lands.

Before leaving, the Council presented a report on their work and made prayers for the King and Kingdom.