Stakeholders at the Northern Peace Conference have called for strengthened traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms, improved land governance, expanded economic opportunities and greater inclusion of women, young people and persons with disabilities in efforts to sustain peace and security in Northern Ghana.

The call was made at a two-day conference held in Tamale from October 26 to 27, 2026, which brought together government officials, ministers of state, parliamentarians, traditional authorities, development partners, researchers, civil society organisations and community representatives to deliberate on the underlying causes of conflict and identify sustainable solutions.

The conference was jointly organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana, the National Peace Council (NPC), the Northern Development Authority (NDA) and the Parliamentary Northern Caucus.

Deliberations focused on how inclusive governance, land justice, economic development and stronger community institutions could contribute to lasting peace, particularly in the face of persistent chieftaincy and land disputes, farmer-herder tensions, climate pressures, youth unemployment, misinformation and the growing threat of violent extremism in the West African subregion.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, underscored the need to address the economic and governance challenges that continue to undermine peace and stability.

He identified agriculture, agro-processing and irrigation as critical areas requiring increased investment, while advocating stronger traditional dispute-resolution mechanisms and improved approaches to land and chieftaincy governance.

Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, also emphasised the importance of responsive local governance and meaningful community participation, stressing that inclusion must extend beyond mere representation to ensure that women, young people and other community members have genuine opportunities to influence decisions.

He further called for effective early warning systems and timely responses to community grievances to prevent emerging tensions from escalating into violent conflicts.

Providing an assessment of the peace, security and resilience situation in Northern Ghana, Deputy National Security Coordinator in charge of Operations, Major General (Rtd.) William Ayamdo, highlighted the interconnected nature of local disputes, competition over natural resources, economic vulnerabilities and emerging security threats.

He called for coordinated interventions that combine security measures with mediation, inclusive development and stronger community resilience.

“Peace is not merely the absence of violence; it is the presence of justice, opportunity and trust. That is the peace we must build together,” he stated.

A major outcome of the conference was a renewed call for stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and translate discussions into concrete, measurable actions.

UNDP Ghana Resident Representative, Niloy Banerjee, who convened the conference, stressed that meaningful peacebuilding must be supported by clear commitments, institutional ownership and effective monitoring mechanisms.
“Dialogue is valuable, but dialogue without implementation can deepen frustration.

This conference should therefore conclude with priorities that are specific, owned and capable of being tracked,” he said.

Similarly, Director-General of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, called for the integration of peacebuilding priorities into national development planning to ensure that recommendations translate into policies, investments and measurable progress.

The United Kingdom, represented by Development Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Terri Sarch, reaffirmed its commitment to locally led peacebuilding initiatives and urged stakeholders to strengthen existing partnerships rather than duplicate interventions.

She encouraged participants to identify immediate priorities that could be implemented without delay, alongside longer-term interventions requiring sustained investment and institutional reforms.

Beyond governance and security considerations, participants identified economic empowerment as a critical component of sustainable conflict prevention.

The conference highlighted the need for increased investment in agriculture, entrepreneurship, employment-linked skills development and access to finance, particularly for young people and vulnerable communities.

UNDP Ghana's ongoing peacebuilding interventions, including the Atlantic Corridor Project, Peacebuilding Fund and Gulf of Guinea Prevention Facility, were highlighted as initiatives that have supported community dialogue, conflict prevention, livelihood skills development and income-generating opportunities for young women and men.
Participants also called for stronger traditional governance structures and improved land administration systems, including clearer documentation of chieftaincy succession procedures, enhanced traditional mediation mechanisms and community-based approaches to resolving farmer-herder disputes.

The need for inclusive participation featured prominently throughout the discussions, with stakeholders stressing that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the active involvement of marginalised and underserved groups.

Yahya Mohamed of the Fulani Youth Association of Ghana called for collective responsibility among all sections of society, including traditional authorities, minority groups and persons with disabilities.

He maintained that achieving lasting peace required cooperation across communities and institutions.

Queen Mother of Bogofiu in the Upper East Region, Felicia Agamboka, highlighted the significant role women can play in promoting peaceful coexistence, expressing confidence in their capacity to influence positive change within their communities.

“I realised that we women even have the power to spread peace to our various communities,” she said.

Executive Director of Songtaba, Hajia Lamnatu Adam, called for deliberate efforts to dismantle institutional and cultural barriers that prevent women, young people and other underserved groups from participating meaningfully in peacebuilding decisions.
Adding a disability inclusion perspective, Muhammad Azuma Kama of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations urged stakeholders to prioritise the needs of persons with disabilities through accessible peace education, economic opportunities and active participation in community peacebuilding initiatives.

Participants consequently recommended stronger implementation of the Affirmative Action Act, the development of a National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, as well as more accessible conflict-reporting and early warning systems.

Meanwhile, Minta Acheampomaa Constance of the Upper West Regional Youth Parliament stressed the need to sustain peacebuilding initiatives beyond the conference, describing peace as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event.

“Peace is not an event but a process and this conference has given us a solid foundation to build upon,” she said.

She outlined plans to promote peace education through school sensitisation programmes and capacity-building activities, highlighting the role of young people in sustaining the conference's outcomes at the community level.

At the close of the two-day engagement, participants identified key priorities for further action, including strengthening traditional governance and dispute-resolution mechanisms, improving land and natural resource management, expanding inclusive economic opportunities, increasing the participation of women and young people in decision-making and enhancing coordination among institutions responsible for peace and development.

The recommendations are expected to provide a framework for sustained engagement among government institutions, traditional authorities, development partners, civil society organisations and local communities to identify practical interventions, establish clear responsibilities and monitor implementation.

The conference also provided an opportunity to assess previous peacebuilding investments and draw lessons to inform future interventions, including the UNDP Ghana Country Programme Document for 2027–2032.

The overarching message from the conference was that lasting peace in Northern Ghana requires more than the resolution of individual disputes.

It demands deliberate efforts to address the structural and socioeconomic conditions that fuel conflict, strengthen community institutions, expand opportunities and ensure that locally driven solutions receive the necessary institutional support and coordinated action.

Report By: Robicon Mornahson