A Women Civil Society Organization (CSO), Women Mediators Network of Ghana, (WoMNet)-Ghana has called on the political parties in the country to put the interest of Ghana and Ghanaians first ahead of the 2024 elections.
The Women Mediators started in October 2022 when FOSDA and Peace Legacy Africa with funding support from the Canadian Funds for Local Initiative organized a training on Conflict Mediation for women in the peace and security space in Ghana.
In the opening statement, at the launch of WoMNet Ghana, Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim Hussain said the launch is important to formalize the existence and the availability of women working with expertise in Mediation, negotiation, and mentorship.
According to her, it provides the network with visibility for the important work that women are doing in the field of conflict resolution.
“We are here to amplify our positions as agents of peace and to confirm that investing in Women, Peace and Security is paramount to promoting Peace and Political stability in the country. We are ready to work with all to achieve it
“Ladies and Gentlemen, this event and launch comes at a very crucial time when Ghana heads to elections in December 2024. Tensions are very high and the terrain is slippery. As mediators we call on the all the political parties, especially the NPP and the NDC to put the interest of Ghana and Ghanaians first. That is the only way to can have a peaceful elections,” madam Hamadatu Ibrahim Hussain stated.
She continued: “We also call on all stakeholder organisations and agencies such as the Electoral Commission, the security agencies, the National Peace Council, The Judiciary to provide transparent, free, fair and level fields for all political parties to engender peace. As mediators we are ready to work at the grassroots, local and national levels to mediate Electoral disputes and promote peace.”
In a presentation by Theodora Williams-Anti, Executive Director of FOSDA and member of WoMNet-GH stated that the objective of WoMNet Ghana is to contribute as a CSO to the implementation of the Ghana National Plan on 1325, also known as GHANAP 2.
She said this because WoMNet Ghana is ensuring that if GHANAP 2 is well implemented, the women’s peace and security agenda will be advanced.
“We reached out to the Peace Council and worked with the women council members across 10 regions at the time since the councils in the six new regions had not been established. We also worked with experienced women experts and activists in the peace and security space and queen mothers. Best of all we had one of Ghana’s finest International mediator, Mrs Janet Adama Mohamed, to lead the procress. The Training lasted for about 12 weeks both in person and online and our women strived on,” she added.
According to her, there is scientific evidence that women’s participation in the peace process increases the sustainability of the peace agreement by 20%.
“Women are affected differently by conflict and hence must be represented in decisions and processes about conflict. Most local, National and international peace talks and process are dominated by men, just cast your mind and you will realise that there are hardly any women mediators. But our queen mothers at the local level have stories to tell even though their effort are not recognized.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
