The significance of peace in fostering harmonious societies and global stability, cannot be over emphasized. Recognizing its paramount importance, the International Day of Peace has been observed around the world since 1981. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 21 as a dedicated day of commemoration, reaffirming the world's commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and cooperation among nations and peoples.

Over 4 decades since the inception of the International Day of Peace, it has become more important to remind ourselves the importance of peace, with the growing threats of insecurity all around us. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 16, reflects this aspiration and calls for promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Ghana was ranked second in West Africa and maintained its 4th ranks in Sub-Saharan Africa as one of the most peaceful countries. However, the country saw a drop by four points from 51^st to 55^th in the overall global ranking. Ghana’s status on peace requires proactive measures to preventing localized conflicts and addressing emerging threats.  As the 9th Presidential and General Elections in Ghana approaches, a peaceful electoral process is critical for the country’s democratic stability. 

The 2024 Theme: Cultivating a Culture of Peace, marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. The culture of peace, according to the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/53/25, consists of “values, attitudes and behaviours that reflect and inspire social interaction and sharing based on the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy”. The shared values, attitudes and behaviours are very powerful tools that can change the society.  However, we need to remember that these things do not remain the same but rather change over time.

With five years left to achieve the SDGs, we must protect the progress made and accelerate the efforts to address pressing global challenges. Strengthening our social bonds, fostering inclusivity, and promoting dialogue will be important in driving collective action and ensuring a sustainable future for all.

As we draw towards Ghana’s elections and looking beyond for a brighter future for all its citizens, the following can ensure to promote a culture of peace

First, we must ensure inclusive development programs is crucial, especially for vulnerable groups like youth, women, migrants, and persons with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected by conflicts and violence. Their voices must be heard to create effective solutions.

By doing so, we must prioritize Inclusive Development Initiatives including: 

Youth Engagement: The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) emphasizes youth participation in peace processes, recognizing their potential to contribute positively to development. Ghana's youthful population (about one-third of the total population) must be actively engaged in shaping peace.

Women's Empowerment: Resolution 1325 (2000) promotes women's participation in peace processes, protection, and rights during conflicts, and access to relief services.

Multistakeholder Collaboration: Involving diverse groups, including women and youth, in decision-making ensures comprehensive and effective conflict resolution.

By promoting inclusive development programs, we can harness the collective potential of Ghana's population to build a more peaceful and prosperous future.

In addition, hate speech, mis/disinformation are tools that break communities and could inflame conflicts. We recommend a more thoughtful approach to online engagements, emphasizing caution and empathy in our digital interactions. All of us as stakeholders of peace and in our efforts to promote and cultivate a culture of peace MUST be very careful with the words we use. 

A shift towards more responsible communication and demonstration that changes in attitude and behavior often correspond. To help citizens cultivate a behaviour change, there is the need for programs targeting both literate and non-literate to develop their digital and online skills and literacy to enable them to fact check any information’s accuracy before sharing.

Finally, let’s adopt the use of dialogue to resolve our differences rather than the use of arms and weapons that escalate conflicts and negatively impacted on human lives and development. Creating a safe space to discuss our differences and find solutions to problems, will enhance peace and unity. 

Ghana is regarded as a beacon of peace and democracy on the African continent and that we cannot take for granted. The United Nations Development Programme will continue to support Ghana to remain a cohesive country through its work with the different peace actors to ensure that the country advances its enviable record as a beacon of stability and peace in Africa.

As we commemorate the day, we are called on and reminded as individuals and as communities to uphold the values that protect the rights of all for a peaceful society. In our daily lives, we should reflect on how our actions and inactions contributes to peace. When we all demonstrate peace in our daily actions and words, we will ensure a peaceful world. Prevention, they say, is better than cure.