The Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO) has emphasized the importance of peace in achieving sustainable development in Ghana. According to Theophilus Abolga, Director of Justice, Peace and Humanitarian Response at NABOCADO, peace is not just the absence of war, but a necessary condition for human dignity, safety, and development. He made these remarks on September 22, 2026, during the commemoration of the International Day of Peace.
Abolga stressed that sustainable development is challenging to achieve in an environment of violence and insecurity. He warned that development gains can be quickly reversed in communities that experience conflict. NABOCADO is urging Ghanaians to treat peace as a daily investment, rather than just celebrating it during commemorative events. This, Abolga believes, will enable people to live with dignity, feel safe, and pursue opportunities within their communities.
The International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, is observed annually on September 21. The day is dedicated to promoting non-violence and ceasefire. Interestingly, NABOCADO was also established in 1981, the same year the International Day of Peace was established. Abolga reflected on the significance of this coincidence, highlighting the organization's long-standing commitment to peacebuilding.
Abolga called on individuals, families, and communities to recognize peacebuilding as a shared responsibility that requires investment of time, energy, and ideas. He encouraged people to make peacebuilding part of their everyday lives, rather than just a one-time effort. This, he believes, will help prevent conflicts and sustain peace at the community level.
NABOCADO is advocating for stronger collaboration among civil society organizations, traditional and national leaders, the National Peace Council, youth and women's groups, and schools to prevent conflict and sustain peace. Abolga cautioned against allowing disputes to escalate to a point where peacebuilding efforts by civil society organizations are no longer sufficient.
The organization is promoting a message of peace and non-violence, encouraging people to invest effort in peacebuilding in their homes, communities, and workplaces. Abolga emphasized that peacebuilding is not just the responsibility of civil society organizations, but a collective effort that requires the involvement of all stakeholders.
In conclusion, NABOCADO's message is clear: without peace, development will suffer. The organization is urging Ghanaians to prioritize peace and make it a part of their daily lives. By doing so, Ghanaians can work towards achieving sustainable development and creating a safer, more prosperous future for all.
Key points
- NABOCADO urges Ghanaians to treat peace as a daily investment in human dignity, safety, and development.
- The organization emphasizes that sustainable development is challenging to achieve in an environment of violence and insecurity.
- NABOCADO advocates for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to prevent conflict and sustain peace at the community level.
