Cape coast: The Central Regional Office of the National Peace Council (NPC) has intensified efforts to build a culture of peace among young people through a school-based peace education campaign. The campaign has reached more than 3,000 students in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Ghana News Agency, the campaign, part of the Council's peacebuilding mandate, educated students on peaceful coexistence, responsible citizenship, conflict prevention, and the legal consequences of violence and vigilantism. Under the theme: 'Preventing Violence in Schools,' students learned about the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999), with a particular focus on student violence and its consequences.
Participants received practical training in conflict prevention, dialogue, leadership, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Additionally, there were group discussions, interactive exercises, and experience-sharing to develop skills to serve as peace ambassadors in their institutions and communities. They were also introduced to practical approaches for maintaining peaceful learning environments, including peer mediation, respectful communication, and early reporting of grievances. The interactive sessions allowed students to share experiences and discuss real-life conflict situations.
The visited schools include the Cape Coast Technical School and Ekon/A Basic School in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Asuansi Technical Institute and Abakrampa Senior High School in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese District, and Assin Manso Senior High School in Assin South District. Beyond classroom sensitization, the Council organized a youth capacity development program dubbed: 'Empowering the Youth for Peacebuilding,' in Assin Fosu, which 60 students from Obiri Yeboah Senior High School, Fosu College of Education, Nurses and Midwifery Training College, in the Fosu Municipality together with four teachers and facilitators, attended.
Dr. Charles Ohene-Amoh, Central Regional Executive Secretary of the Council, told the Ghana News Agency that schools remained critical spaces for shaping attitudes, values, and behaviors that contribute to social harmony and national development. He encouraged students to embrace lawful conduct, discipline, and peaceful methods of resolving disputes. Dr. Ohene-Amoh said the overwhelming participation and enthusiasm across the schools reflected a growing interest among young people in understanding civic responsibilities and contributing positively to peacebuilding.
Encouraged by the impact of the first-quarter activities, he announced plans to extend the program to additional schools targeting the University Practice Senior High School in Cape Coast Metropolis, Boa Amponsem Senior High School in Upper Denkyira East, Diaso Senior High School in Upper Denkyira West, Obrachire Senior High School in Awutu Senya, and Breman Asakusa Senior High School in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District. He reaffirmed the Council's commitment to promoting peace and social cohesion through sustained educational outreach and youth empowerment initiatives.
Many students thanked the organizers for the chance to learn about the legal implications of violence and vigilantism and practical techniques to manage conflicts.