- FAAPA ENG - http://www.faapa.info/en -

Peace and security, cornerstone for Ghana’s sustainable development – Mrs Padi

Koforidua, Sept. 21, GNA – Mrs Georgina Akua Padi, Executive Director, GAP Health Aid Foundation, has re-echoed calls for conscious national efforts to sustain the peace and security of Ghana, as it remains the key factor behind sustainable growth and development.

She urged all particularly the youth to make deliberate efforts to live at peace with each other wherever they found themselves, and at all times for the common goal of all and posterity.

Mrs Pad stated this in a message to the Ghana News Agency to mark this year’s International Day of Peace sanctioned by the United Nations which is observed by nations, political and military groups as well as individuals on 21st September every year.

Also, called World Peace Day, the day was first celebrated in 1981, and has since been kept by many nations, including Ghana in the West African sub-region.

In 2013, the day was dedicated by the UN Secretary-General to peace education and acknowledged as the key preventive means to reducing war across the globe.

Mrs Padi said the World Peace Day celebration was dedicated to world peace, and that the absence of war and violence might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access.

The 2021 Global theme is, “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world” while in Ghana the day is observed on the theme: “The road to a lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace and security”.

In that light, GAP Health Aid Foundation in partnership with Seek Life Charity Foundation and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ghana, has scheduled to celebrate the day on 1st October 2021 at Ayensuano District in the Eastern Region.

Mrs Padi said the overriding objectives for the celebration were to strengthen the ideals of peace in Ghanaian communities to inspire the youth on unity and togetherness.

It is also meant to end inter-tribal and partisan conflicts and ultimately promote total peace for the speedy social and economic development of the nation.

“Peace is an essential commodity which comes,” she said. “It is the cornerstone of every nation’s development, as it comes along with positive thinking, unity and the collaboration of the common good of all,” she said.

“It is important for citizens to decide on a set of united values that they will live by and nurture for the next generation.”

The Executive Director explained that national peace ensured peace of mind which sharpens the five human senses, calms down the mind and emotions, and enables one to focus more easily on mental and physical activities.

“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good, and calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom,” she added.

She also noted the absence of peace could spark chaos, political rivalries, poverty, hunger, ailments, and stifle economic activities and trigger educational setbacks.

“As a social change agent, I believe that to achieve any meaningful and lasting results on a particular area, there must be periodic and or regular sensitization of community members, most especially the youth, for, it is always said that prevention is better than cure,” she added.