Sumbrungu (UE), July 31, GNA - Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, on Friday, commended Peace Advocates and Voluntary Organizers Association (PAVOA), for its numerous programmes and initiatives in promoting peace in the Region.

The Minister made the commendation, when he led the Australian Commissioner to Ghana, Billy Williams, to inspect some of the projects the POVOA had initiated through the support of the Australian High Commission.

POVOA, a local NGO, formed since in 1994, has been using local and traditional songs, drama, talks and lectures as some of its peace initiative programmes.

The Minister stated that POVOA through their Programmes managed to prevent conflicts in the Region and cited an instance where the POVOA saved a near conflict between the people of Bolgatanga-Sirigu and Yikine in the Bolgatanga Municipality.

Whilst commending the organization for its efforts, the Minister also appealed to them to extend the programme to other Districts in the Region, especially Bawku, saying no meaningful development could take place in an area if there was no peace.

Mr Woyongo also commended the organization for initiating a development programmes, including the solar lighting project for 21 women groups in the Sumbrungu area, who were into basket and hat weaving.

He paid tribute to the Australian High Commission for supporting the NGO to execute its projects and said with the solar lights it would help empower the community, especially women, who use it to weave at night.

Mr Richard Nyabire Abuse-ela, Project Coordinator of POVOA said following the use of the solar panel project for the women's group craft centres, which replaced the lanterns, it had created a lot of jobs for the people in the area, thus reducing the rural urban migration, has increased production of baskets and hats and also income generation among women.

School children also used the facility at night to study and community members are able to recharge their mobile phones and their lamps.

He appealed to the Australian High Commissioner to assist the rest of the seven women craft centres, which has no light, to enable them to expand their work.