The Executive Director of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO), Dr Joseph Bangu, has emphasized the need for peacebuilding to be integrated into development planning. He warned that conflict can bring economic and social activities to a standstill. According to Dr Bangu, NABOCADO has incorporated peacebuilding into its interventions in health, education, livelihoods, and agriculture, rather than treating it as a separate activity.
Dr Bangu made these remarks as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of Peace. He stressed that peacebuilding is a pastoral priority, stating that without peace, it is impossible to preach or for people to go to work. Development will come to a standstill in the absence of peace. NABOCADO assesses peace and conflict dynamics before introducing development projects into communities to avoid interventions worsening existing tensions.
The process of assessing peace and conflict dynamics includes identifying traditional leaders, assembly members, women, and other influential actors, as well as understanding relationships that may not be immediately visible to outsiders. Dr Bangu noted that there are instances where the organisation had to go back and do its background work well before entering a community. This approach enables NABOCADO to understand underlying community dynamics before implementing projects.
NABOCADO works with the National Peace Council to understand the conflict landscape in communities and determine how development interventions can be implemented without creating or deepening tensions. Where conflicts already exist, the organisation analyses the situation, identifies the relevant actors, and gradually creates opportunities for dialogue. This approach allows NABOCADO to identify and do an analysis of the whole context and bring the actors together.
The organisation is also seeking to strengthen peace education among young people. A draft resolution from the Diocese’s Pastoral Congress proposes the establishment of peace clubs in Catholic schools. This initiative forms part of efforts to make peacebuilding a continuous process rather than an intervention undertaken only after conflicts emerge. According to Dr Bangu, NABOCADO’s work is guided by a human security approach that recognises peace and safety as essential to people’s ability to work, access services, and improve their livelihoods.
Dr Bangu acknowledged that peacebuilding can be expensive and time-consuming but said the organisation remains committed to working with communities to restore dialogue and peaceful engagement. He stated that as a faith-based organisation, NABOCADO decided to undertake this challenging but crucial work. The organisation's commitment to peacebuilding is reflected in its efforts to integrate peacebuilding into its development projects.
NABOCADO's approach to peacebuilding and development has been highlighted as crucial in the Upper East region of Ghana. The organisation's work in the region has demonstrated the importance of integrating peacebuilding into development planning. By doing so, NABOCADO aims to ensure that its development interventions contribute to sustainable peace and development in the region.
Key points
- Dr Joseph Bangu calls for integrating peacebuilding into development planning.
- NABOCADO assesses peace and conflict dynamics before introducing development projects.
- The organisation works with the National Peace Council to understand the conflict landscape in communities.
