He said for a long time, Ghana was rated as the most peaceful country in West Africa and second in Sub-Saharan Africa and occupied the 40th position in the ranking in the whole world

"Sadly, Ghana has lost her place as the most peaceful country in West Africa to Sierra Leoneand second most peaceful country in Sub- Saharan Africa to Botswana," Nana Dr Asante stated at the commemoration of this year's International Day of Peace in Accra
The event, on the theme, "Actions for Peace:

imposes a duty on all citizens, all political parties, all civil society organisations, all traditional authorities, and all communities as well as all institutions of the state to join forces in eradicating conflicts and the realization of sustainable peace," he said.

"In this regard the National Peace Council would like to seize this opportunity once again to appeal to the chiefs and people of the Bawku traditional area and other centres of conflict throughout the country to commit themselves to peaceNobody gains from protracted conflicts."

He was not sure anybody involved in the conflict was happy that children were not in school, the sick could not access health service, the movement of goods and people had been restricted and freedoms curtailed.

"Let us confront the realities of the times and move on for the sake of our children and the future of Ghana," he said

He noted that building sustainable peace was at process which required the efforts of both state and non-state actors and a daily renewal of the commitment to peace and love for their common humanity.

He appealed to Ghanaians to continually commit to this process to enhance sustainable peace, stressing that as the country prepared for its general elections next year, it was appropriate to remind all the presidential candidates and political parties of their commitment to the existing peace pact signed in the past three general elections.

NPC launched the year-long campaign, dubbed"# I Pledge for Peace GH", as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful election 2024 in Ghana.

Master Kelvin Asumang, a 17-year-old Second Year Visual Art Student of Bishop Herman College, was adjudged the best designer of the logo for the #1 Pledge for Peace GH.