UPF - Ghana Initiates Nationwide Peace Pledge: One Million Signatures for a Harmonious Future.

Written by UPF-Ghana

Friday, October 25, 2024

The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Conference of Religions for Peace on September 21, 2024, commemorated the International Day of Peace, supported by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP), and the International Association of Youths and Students for Peace (IAYSP). 

The program’s highlight was the "One Million Signatures for Peace" Launch Ceremony, a symbolic peace signature formality aimed at promoting unity and harmony among Ghanaians and ensuring peace before, during, and after the general elections due on December 7, 2024. The event was held at the UGMC, at the University of Ghana, Legon. Key stakeholders considered the signing ceremony, which was done on a soccer ball, a manifestation of equality, integrity, peace, love, and harmony. About 70 youth leaders and heads of religious and non-governmental organizations graced the occasion.

The program commenced officially with an opening prayer by Rev. James Aidu, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. UPF Chair, Hon. Frank Fuseni Adongo, gave the welcome 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 a climactic football match between some major African football teams in Nigeria and Ghana. 

Rev. Tegha King, Acting Deputy Secretary General of UPF Ghana, who served as the MC of the occasion, emphasized the significance of the stakeholders signing on a soccer ball saying, “…it symbolizes equality and unity through its roundness and football arguably is the most valuable sector known to promote social cohesion.”

The signing ceremony was expertly coordinated by Alhadji Muhammad Amir Kpakpo Addo, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Conference of Religions for Peace. Alhadji explained that the ceremony is mostly carried out using a Google form that is linked to a QR code. He said the code would be publicized on social media, television, and in designated areas of universities, churches, and mosques across the country known as "Peace Hubs". By pointing a mobile camera at the QR code, the link opens and the individual fills out the form. The form includes a Peace Pledge and fields that request personal information such as name, age group, place of residence, etc. 

The event's key stakeholders 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. 

Bishop Dr. Patrick Addison, an Administrator with the Council of Independent Churches in Ghana (CICG), talked on "The Role of Faith in Peacebuilding." He urged religious leaders to be examples of peace, unbiased referees in the game of politics, Chief Dr. Doli-Wura Zakaria; the Chairperson of the African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum Steering Committee (AU-IFDF) and Director of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs’s speech delved on “Cultural Values and Peace.” Bishop Nathaniel Rudolph, Secretary General, 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, while commenting on Mr Adoube's astute submission, referred to scholars who had observed that "Peace begins with the kick of a ball" as sages. He stated that the signed soccer ball with multiple appended signatures will be handed to the Ghana Football Association to be stored as a "symbol of peace" in their football souvenir collection. 

Interfaith Prayers

An interfaith prayer session brought together Christian and Muslim leaders who 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, Council of African Instituted Churches - CAIC), Imam Ahmad Tijani Haruna (Office of the National Chief Imam), and Apostle Bill Forcha, General Overseer of the Church of the Peacemakers International, and a generous event donor. 

The winner of the "Young Voice of Peace" African version in 2022, Empress Commey, 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," a Vicky Sampson cover that Mrs. 

Sampson had performed during the 1996 African Nations Cup.

In his votes 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 Signature for Peace” launch ceremony culminated with the release of a single dove, carried out by a nine-year-old boy outdoors, in the gaze and the applauds of the various leaders who were invited to the program. It was explained that the dove's singleness represents "One Ghana, One People, united through one purpose," while the kid was said to represent hope and the future. 

To round off the day, a delicious snack of African non-alcoholic beverages and pastries was offered. The event was covered by Ghana Television (GTV); the national television, and media influencers.