WORKSHOP ON TOLERANCEFOR ZONGO COMMUNITIES (PAGE 13, JULY 23, 2010)

THE National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organised a training workshop on tolerance and conflict prevention for the Zongo Community at Effiduase in the Ashanti Region.
This is also to conscientise the community to develop a culture of tolerance to enhance peaceful coexistence.
The workshop was meant to debunk the perception which tagged people in the Zongo community as being violent, armed robbers, backward illiterate among others.
Speaking on the topic: ‘Tolerance and conflict prevention for successful district level election in 2010 at Effiduase” the Ashanti Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr Alhassan Yakubu, noted that “tolerance is a culture whereby individuals or groups of different ideological and religious backgrounds agree to disagree on issues without resorting to verbal or physical violence”.
He noted that “tolerance allows for competition of ideas to enhance development and social advancement”.
Mr Yakubu, who dilated extensively on conflicts, causes, consequences, as well as prevention and peace building, pointed out that in society, “ we cannot avoid conflicts as they are natural occurrences, we should endeavour to prevent conflicts from erupting into violence, destruction, chaos and loss of lives”.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NCCE, Mr Larry Bimi called for peaceful co-existence among members of the Zongo communities and traditional landowners to foster sustainable peace and development.
Mr Bimi said it was equally important for them to tolerate and respect one another as a way of deepening social relationship among them.
This, he said, would go a long way to” avoid violence and confrontations that leads to conflict”.
Mr Bimi, who made the appeal when he offered to mediate for an amicable settlement and resolution of a land dispute between the traditional rulers and the Zongo community, pointed out that “the Commission has a constitutional mandate to create and sustain awareness of constitutional democracy for the achievement of political, social and economic stability for national development”.
He pointed out that sustainable national development cannot take place in an “ atmosphere of mistrust, fear and apprehension among neighbours who are at loggerheads.”
He explained that he offered to mediate in the conflict in the area based on the reports he received from the regional and district officers and assured that he would support them to establish positive reportage.
He appealed to them to eschew any tendency likely to “escalate into violence and aggravate the situation,” stressing: “It is important for you to exercise a high sense of tolerance and circumspection”.
He assured to study their grievances “very closely and chart a way forward.”
As part of resolving the conflict amicably, Mr Bimi paid a courtesy call on the Effiduasehene, Nana Adu Ameyaw, the District Chief Executive , Mr Kwadwo Addae and the Chief of the Zongo Community, Malam Abdul-n Aziz Adam .
He also had fruitful interactions with a section of the youth, women leaders and opinion leaders and advised them to maintain peace and tranquillity as the district level election draws nearer.