Addressing the opening session of a four-day training programme for selected members of the ECOWAS Parliament on conflict prevention and management in Accra yesterday, Most Rev Palmer-Buckle said a careful observation of all traditional festivals in the sub-region showed the very crucial role religion played in such festivals.

Dubbed “Strengthening the capacity of the ECOWAS Parliament to prevent and manage conflicts”, the purpose of the project is to develop the capacity of the MPs to enable them to effectively exercise their role in preventing and managing conflicts in the West African sub-region.

The project would carry out a series of seminars, training workshops and working group initiatives to develop institutional mechanisms, individual and organisational capacities and a strategic plan for conflict prevention and management role of the ECOWAS Parliament.

In her remarks, the In-Country Co-ordinator of the Parliamentary Centre, organisers of the training workshop, Ms Marilyn Aniwa, noted that conflict was a phenomenon that occured when people with competing interests sought to fulfil those interests at the expense of others.

She stated that although democratic institutions could not completely resolve tensions, democracy could serve as a system of managing conflict and peace building. Ms Aniwa said Parliament, which represented a broad spectrum of the masses, was uniquely designed to address contentious issues.

She, therefore charged the participants to use their knowledge and influence to ensure that emerging conflicts within the sub-region did not escalate, thereby reducing the impact of violent conflicts on economic development.

by Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

From graphicghana.com