By; Edwin Gogu
The Savannah Regional Peace Council has commenced a three-day capacity building workshop for representatives of women groups across the West Gonja Municipality, aimed at strengthening their capacity in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and participation in decision making at all levels, on Monday 23rd June, 2025.
The event, which began today, brings together over 50 women from various groups and communities under the theme: “Training of Women Groups to Enhance Their Peace Building, Early Warning and Other Conflict Resolution Capacities to Advocate for Their Participation and Inclusion in Local Governance and Peace Building Processes in the West Gonja Municipality.”
The workshop is being organized in partnership with the Department of Gender with funding support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and its donors; the Denmark and Luxembourg. The workshop seeks to empower women with practical skills and tools to play more active roles in promoting peace and stability in their communities.
Speaking on behalf of the Savannah Regional Peace Council Chairman, Queen Mother and Council Member Mbitiwurche Alijata Haruna warmly welcomed the participants and emphasized the vital role women play in ensuring lasting peace in the region.
“We are gathered here today to talk about peace in the Savannah Region. We know women are the backbone of peace as mediators, caretakers, and community builders. That’s why we found it necessary to invite women from across our municipality. Without peace, we cannot enjoy our lives, our homes, or even realize our economic potential,” she said.
The member, highlighted the need to bridge the gap in female representation in decision-making at all levels especially in peacebuilding and local governance.
“In Ghana, female participation in peacebuilding and decision-making at the local level remains low due to a number of structural and policy challenges,” she noted. “This training aims to equip women with the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to participate meaningfully in governance and peace processes in their communities.”
She further explained that the initiative is part of the Council’s mandate to prevent conflict through early intervention and public education. By building the capacities of women at the grassroots, the Council hopes to create a network of conscious and committed peace agents who can champion local base peacebuilding efforts through conflict early warning and response, dialogues, mediation, which will help to minimize if not obliterate the potential of conflicts from escalating into violence and protracted conflicts.
“Our work doesn’t begin when conflict erupts, it starts before that. This workshop is part of our preventive strategy. These women will return to their communities as peace advocates, able to engage in dialogue and promote understanding even before tensions arise,” the Council member added.
The training, which runs from June 23 to 25, 2025, involves participants from seven communities in the municipality. The sessions include practical modules on early warning systems, mediation techniques, peace messaging, and inclusive governance strategies.
Organizers are optimistic that the knowledge and skills shared during the three-day workshop will strengthen the region’s peace architecture and further promote inclusive governance in West Gonja.
