The Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana (YHFG), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has unveiled a peace monument in the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region.
The monument, erected opposite the District Assembly just off the Bolga–Bawku Highway, is intended to serve as a lasting symbol of peace, unity, and community resilience.
It also stands as a constant reminder to residents of their collective responsibility to sustain harmony and promote development within their communities.
The unveiling, held on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Zebila, marked the successful completion of a two-year Peace Building Fund (PBF) project, implemented between 2024 and 2025 in partnership with the National Peace Council and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), targeting selected districts across the Upper East and North East regions.
The intervention, which ran from 2024 to 2025, covered districts, including Bongo, Bawku West, and Garu in the Upper East Region, and Chereponi, Yunyoo-Nasuan, and Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri in the North East Region.
At the ceremony were traditional leaders, local authorities, women’s groups and community members, who reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding peace as a foundation for development.
Project impact
The Project Officer of YHFG, David Ajebakwagane Baniyigane, who spoke at the event, said the intervention sought to address local and spillover conflicts while empowering communities to actively contribute to peace and development.
He said the project placed strong emphasis on inclusivity, particularly encouraging the involvement of women and marginalised groups in community governance.
Mr Baniyigane noted that many beneficiaries had, for the first time, participated in district-level activities, including budgeting processes, describing it as a significant step towards inclusive development.
He added that the intervention had led to improved decision-making structures, increased access to farmland for women and enhanced ownership of productive resources, including livestock.
The peace monument, he explained, was deliberately constructed as a permanent reminder of the gains made under the project.
Community response
A sub-chief representing the Widnaba traditional authority, Naba Avoka Ayeebo, said the project had significantly reduced cases of domestic violence and farmer-herder conflicts in the area.
He described the intervention as a lasting legacy and called for continued support to sustain peace in the community.
A women’s group leader from Widnaba, Sarah Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to YHFG for promoting peace and fostering inclusivity within communities.
She said the project had transformed attitudes towards gender equality, ensuring equal access to education for both boys and girls, and greater participation of women in decision-making.
The Assembly Member for the Kopella Electoral Area, Mr Robert Anani, said the initiative had strengthened unity and enhanced collective decision-making, leading to improved harmony within families and communities.
He, however, called for sustained engagement to consolidate the gains made, noting that conflict situations remained complex.
No peace, no development
The District Chief Executive for Bawku West, James Ayamwego, commended YHFG and its partners for their “priceless contribution” to peace and social cohesion in the district.
He said peace remained a critical prerequisite for development and urged residents to uphold the values represented by the monument.
Sustainability
The Administrator of YHFG, Michael Zuure, expressed gratitude to stakeholders and community members for their cooperation throughout the project’s implementation.
He emphasised that the sustainability of peace in beneficiary communities remained the greatest achievement of the intervention and urged residents not to relent in promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh