By Simon T. Faayi (RCC P. R O. UWR.)
Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, the regional minister of the Upper West region together with the National Peace Council (NPC) governing member, Maulvi Bin Salih, Council members and some dignitaries met on Tuesday, 13th December 2022 in the UWR to inaugurate the incoming members of the UWR peace council.
Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih stated in his speech that, when looking at the Upper West Region from a peaceful perspective, one can say that the people of the region are sitting on the edge of gunpowder that can explode at any moment. He stated that the UWR is vulnerable to terrorists and insurgents because of the current happenings in Burkina Faso, a country near a border in the UWR.
Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih affirmed further in his speech indicating that out of the 11 districts and Municipal assemblies in the UWR, the region has been detected with 20 hotspots. The Sissala East municipality as stated by the board member of NPC is the leading arena for disturbances of peace in the region, with 8 hotspots followed by Wa municipal with 6 hotspots, Sissala West with 4 hotspots and Nandom and Wa West District Assembly also highlighted to have 1 one hotspot each.
The NPC board member, Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, therefore, calls on the incoming members of the regional peace council of the UWR to be ready and prepared because the task ahead is critical for the development of the region. He also requested the Regional minister to allocate land for the construction of the UWR peace council.
The Regional Executive Secretary for the peace council in the UWR, Mr Emmanuel Danyomah also appealed for the creation of new districts in Tumu and Nandom municipal in the UWR. He also emphasized the land allocation for the Regional Peace Council, UWR.
The Regional minister delivering his speech noted that the role of the Regional Peace Council (RPC) is to advise the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Regional Security Council (RSC) in conflict prevention, management, resolution and building sustainable development in the region. He also emphasized that the incoming council members should see their appointments as a call to national duty which requires sacrifice and volunteerism.
The regional minister in his response to the NPC board member and the Regional Executive Secretary, about land for the construction of the UWR peace council, assured the region that, the RCC will lease with the Regional Land Commission as soon as possible to locate government land for the RPC of the UWR to boost its office.
The minister also requests the RPC members to assist in putting up the building for the RPC. The minister ultimately expressed his appreciation and gratitude to H.E. the president of the Republic of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo for the reconstitution of the Upper West Regional Peace Council.
