KEEPING GLOBAL PEACE

Page 7: Daily Graphic, May 23, 2012. GHANA’S role in peacekeeping operations across the globe is well-documented and highly acknowledged. From Lebanon to Kosovo, Liberia to Rwanda, The Sudan to Sierra Leone, our gallant men and women in uniform have exhibited professionalism, commitment, loyalty and courage to maintain peace in those global conflict zones. In our own country, the men and women have always been called upon to restore and maintain peace in conflict areas. Some of them have died in the service of peace. Currently, Ghana is ranked among the 10 largest contributors of personnel for peacekeeping duties in the world. The Daily Graphic believes that Ghanaians can learn useful lessons from the participation of our security personnel in such peacekeeping operations. When their positive contributions to maintaining the peace in conflict zones are known, we tend to lose sight of the negative impact on them. Many of them may suffer from depression, aggressive impulses, alcoholism or nightmares and mood swings in what doctors describe as post-traumatic stress disorder. War or conflict situation is something that Ghanaians should never desire. We know too well that in most conflict zones, societies have been disintegrated, there is massive destruction of infrastructure, while women and children, who are often the victims of war, suffer from undue hardships. Many others have ended up as refugees in other countries, not to mention the loss of innocent lives and the use of scarce resources for conflict resolution Events in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, once considered the haven of peace in the sub-region, should stir the conscience of those who may be considering creating conflict situations in the run-up to the December general election. The Daily Graphic acknowledges that maintaining the peace is not the responsibility of any single individual or organisation. That is why we have decided to continually prick the conscience of the nation to contribute to the maintenance of peace in the country. Ghanaians cannot afford to do anything to undermine the peace and stability we currently enjoy on the altar of political expediency. The country has a long way to go in its development agenda and we believe Ghanaians must use their energies in support of reducing, if not eliminating, poverty. Fortunately, our development partners seem to appreciate the strides we are making and are continuously supporting us. The huge vote of money by the Group of Eight industrialised countries (G-8) to support our agricultural sector is evidence of the confidence they have in us as a country. The Daily Graphic believes that the unwarranted violence, acrimony and hate speech that are becoming part of our politics must end now. We, therefore, urge our churches, statesmen and civil society organisations to take a firm position in promoting and sustaining the country’s peace. It will be ironic and unhealthy for us that as a country of excellent peacekeepers, other people will have to be brought in to maintain the peace for us. We salute our gallant peacekeepers for restoring normalcy in many conflict zones.