In a powerful show of community-driven peace efforts, the Upper West Regional Peace Council (UWRPC), with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized a three-day capacity-building workshop for women in Hamile, a border town in the Lambussie Traditional Area.
The training, held from 2nd to 4th June 2, brought together 50 women from diverse backgrounds including traditional leaders, religious groups, persons with disabilities, and minority communities like the Fulbe.
The initiative aimed to strengthen the peacebuilding, early warning, and conflict resolution capacity of women’s groups within the district.
Facilitated by Professor Samuel Marfo, the workshop addressed topics such as conflict dynamics, local early warning signs, radicalization risks, and mediation strategies. Participants engaged in interactive sessions including group work, role plays, and action planning.
“Women are often the heartbeat of community peacebuilding. When empowered, they can prevent, mediate, and resolve conflict even better than some formal mechanisms,” said Prof. Marfo.
At the end of the program, participants developed three community-based action plans addressing issues like land disputes, inter-ethnic tensions, and youth radicalization. Participants reported increased confidence in identifying early warning signs and applying non-violent solutions.
The training also brought to light several community concerns. These included stereotypes against Fulbe women, land-related conflicts instigated by jealousy and envy, and growing ethnic divisions even among children.
One participant lamented, “These days, some mothers tell their children not to play with kids from certain ethnic groups. This plants seeds of future conflict.”
Despite these challenges, participants expressed readiness to form mediation teams and continue community education on peaceful coexistence.
