President John Dramani Mahama has described Ghana’s drop in the 2024 Global Peace Index as a wake-up call, urging greater vigilance and commitment to addressing the underlying causes of discord in society.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Post-Election Evaluation Dialogue organised by the National Peace Council in Koforidua on Friday, July 4, President Mahama acknowledged that although Ghana remains the most peaceful country in West Africa, its global ranking has slipped.
“The 2024 Global Peace Index ranks Ghana 55th globally out of 163 countries, a four-place drop from our 2023 position. While we retain fourth place in sub-Saharan Africa, we remain number one as the most peaceful country in West Africa,” he noted.
He described the development as “a wake-up call, a signal that we must be more vigilant, proactive, and committed to addressing the root causes of discord in our society.”
President Mahama stressed that peace was indispensable to national development, adding that “without peace, we cannot create jobs, we cannot expand opportunities, we cannot improve education, we cannot attract investment or build a just society.”
He commended the efforts of the National Peace Council and civil society in promoting unity, and reiterated his government’s commitment to fostering national consensus and strengthening mechanisms that underpin Ghana’s democracy.
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President Mahama also condemned acts of electoral violence during the 2024 elections and called for swift investigations and justice for affected individuals. He emphasised the importance of peaceful dispute resolution and urged Ghanaians to reject politics of hate.
“As the great Nelson Mandela once said, great anger and violence can never build a nation,” he stated.
He concluded by pledging his administration’s continued efforts to safeguard national peace and unity, calling on all Ghanaians to play their part in building a stable, inclusive, and democratic society.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
