Accra, Ghana – UPF-Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Conference of Religions for Peace and other partner organizations, celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2024 at the University of Ghana Medical Center. The program’s highlight was a launching ceremony for the "One Million Signatures for Peace" campaign, aimed at promoting unity and harmony among Ghanaians and ensuring peace before, during, and after the general elections coming up on December 7.
The program commenced with an opening prayer by Rev. James Aidu, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. The chair of UPF-Ghana, Hon. Frank Fuseni Adongo gave the welcoming address. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and responsible language in addressing disagreements as a cardinal strategy in promoting peace. He told the audience, "We recognize that no society is perfect, but our ability to resolve conflicts peacefully is a measure of our spiritual maturation and civilization." He then described numerous projects that UPF will be embarking on, in conjunction with the “One Million Signatures for Peace” campaign, including football matches between several major African football teams in Nigeria and Ghana.
The event's key participants included religious leaders who were called to promote interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence, academics who were urged to propagate conflict resolution and peacebuilding ideals, and musicians and footballers who were encouraged to use their platforms to promote peace and unity. They began the signature campaign by signing a soccer ball. About 70 youth leaders and heads of religious and non-governmental organizations also graced the occasion.
Rev. Tegha King, acting deputy secretary general of UPF-Ghana, served as MC for the event. He emphasized the significance of the representatives signing on a soccer ball, saying its round shape symbolized equality and unity, and football was a key promoter of social cohesion.
The signing ceremony was expertly coordinated by Alhadji Muhammad Amir Kpakpo Addo, executive secretary of the Ghana Conference of Religions for Peace. He explained that the one million signatures would be collected using a Google form linked to a QR code, which would be publicized on social media, television, and in designated universities, churches and mosques across the country, known as Peace Hubs. The form includes a Peace Pledge as well as fields requesting personal information such as name, age group, and place of residence.
Bishop Patrick Addison, an administrator with the Council of Independent Churches in Ghana (CICG), spoke on "The Role of Faith in Peacebuilding." He urged religious leaders to serve as examples of peace and unbiased referees in the game of politics. Chief Doli-Wura Zakaria, chairperson of the African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum Steering Committee (AU-IFDF) and director of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, spoke on “Cultural Values and Peace.” Bishop Nathaniel Rudolph, secretary general of Ghana-United Nations Association (GUNA) explored “Good Governance and Peace.”
Mr. Godfred Adoube, a former Black Star national football team icon, proposed using football as social capital in peacebuilding, noting occasions in which sport brought him to unite with adversaries. He encouraged Ghanaians to love their country and handle challenges in the same way as they support worldwide football clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Barcelona.
The MC stated that the signed soccer ball would be handed over to the Ghana Football Association to be stored as a "symbol of peace" in their football souvenir collection.
Christian and Muslim leaders then prayed for grace and unity among Ghana's leaders and citizens, solemnly requesting that God bless the nation's leadership and elites with the wisdom to navigate the election processes and bring the season to a peaceful conclusion. They asked God to provide a spirit of love and unity to all Ghanaians.
The interfaith prayer team included Archbishop Abraham Annoh, national president of the Council of African Instituted Churches (CAIC); Imam Ahmad Tijani Haruna of the Office of the National Chief Imam; and Apostle Bill Forcha, general overseer of the Church of the Peacemakers International, who was also a generous donor to the event.
Ms. Empress Commey, the 2022 "Young Voice of Peace" African winner, electrified the audience with a short speech emphasizing, "We live in a world where division and conflict often dominate the headlines." She went on, "But I say to you, we have the power to create a different narrative, one of compassion, empathy, and understanding." She then led the audience in singing "My African Dream," made famous by popular singer Ms. Vicky Sampson, who sang it during the 1996 African Nations Cup.
In his vote of thanks, Alhadji Muhammad Amir Kpakpo Addo expressed gratitude while urging Ghana's Election Commission to recognize the importance of its role in the current political climate. Archbishop Godman E. Anim, president of Ambassadors for Peace, delivered the concluding comments and a closing prayer.
The “One Million Signatures for Peace” launch ceremony culminated with the release of a single dove, carried outdoors and released by a nine-year-old boy, to the applause of onlookers. The dove represented "one Ghana, one people, united through one purpose," while the child represented hope and the future.
To round off the day, African beverages and pastries were offered. The event was covered by national broadcaster Ghana Television (GTV) and multiple media influencers.
