Wechiua, (UWR), Aug.9, GNA - Mr. Seidu Tungbani, District Chief Executive (DCE), of Wa West, has said that efforts at peace building and social dialogue were critical for sustainable community and national development.

He appealed to the youth to work hard towards sustainable peace and avoid armed conflicts which undermined development. Mr. Tungbani was addressing traditional rulers and other opinion leaders, the youth and authorities of decentralised agencies and institutions in the district, at a peace durbar held at Wechiau on Saturday.

The Youth Network for Human Rights and Democracy, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the German Development Services (DED), organised the event on the theme: "Interaction for peace to enhance socio-economic development at the grassroots". It was aimed at building the capacity of young people on peace, good governance and conflict prevention towards the consolidation of democracy. The DCE asked the youth to consider themselves as ambassadors of peace for national integration and social transformation. He said even though Ghana was considered a stable country in the West African sub-region, experiencing five consecutive free and fair elections, practicing the rule of law with vibrant media and active participation of civil society organisations in governance, those alone could not guarantee the much needed peace for development. Mr. Tungbani appealed to traditional authorities to resolve chieftaincy and land disputes that were threatening the peace of the country.

He advised the youth to avoid using the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for fraud and crimes and asked them to participate in health programmes to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and other diseases. Mr. Paul Boama Sefa, National Coordinator of Youth-Network, an NGO, said development could only be achieved in a peaceful environment. He explained that the durbar was intended to create a platform for local government agencies, traditional authorities and the youth to work as a team towards the attainment of pace in the district. Mr Mohammed Samari, Upper West Regional Coordinator of the NGO, said the new district required peace for development. 9 Aug 09