She said the training in ADR would enhance their work as peace promoters, mediators and facilitators and also serve as a source of employment for them in their retirement.

Mrs Kusi said this during the inauguration of the reconstituted 13-member Western Region Peace Council Board in Takoradi under the National Peace Council Act of 2011(Act 818).

She said the Regional Coordinating Council was prepared to sponsor the training cost of the Council members considering the important role peace played in nation building and development, and hinted that the needed funds would be sourced to facilitate the training.

The Deputy Western Regional Minister pointed out that conflicts existed in all societies at all times and needed not necessarily be negative or destructive,  however when they  were violent the resultant cost were in calculable and must therefore be prevented.

 Mrs Kusi said though the country was widely acknowledged as one of the peaceful countries in Africa, the country was fraught with numerous chieftaincy and land disputes.

 "Western Region described as one of the most peaceful regions in the country, also has a fair share of chieftaincy, land disputes and illegal mining activities".

She in this regard appealed to the members to collaborate with other key institutions in the Region to work towards sustainable peace in the Region.

 Alhaji Ridallah Mohammed Awal, National Board Member, who inducted the members into office,   emphasized that the Council was non-partisan and should be respected as such, and urged the Council members to work hard for sustainable peace in the Region.

 He said over the years Ghana had been seen as a relatively stable democracy and peaceful haven in an otherwise troubled sub-Region, but noted that "in spite of this international recognition, those of us who live in this country know that we are confronted with numerous chieftaincy disputes, religious conflicts, and land and border disputes".

 According to him, a conflict mapping exercise carried out by the National Peace Council  in collaboration with the University of Cape Coast showed  that every region in Ghana was challenged  by numerous and diverse conflicts.  

 The role of the regional Peace Council, he said was to among others, offer advice to the Regional Coordinating Council and the Regional Security Council in relation to conflict prevention,  management,  resolution and building sustainable peace in the Region.

The Council members were also to engage in public education and create awareness of conflict indicators within the Region and make recommendations to the RCC and regional Security Council in how to improve the situation.

 Facilitate the organization of activities that build friendship,  promote trust,  tolerance, good will and reconciliation between communities, initiate and support capacity building training programme for relevant stakeholders in the Region as well as perform other functions that maybe assigned by the RCC.

 Mrs Rebecca Effiba Dadzie, a Member on behalf of the Council, pledged their commitment to ensure that peace and tranquillity prevailed in the Region.

 She said they were prepared to serve the people of the Region, stressing that they would bring to bear their expertise and called for logistical support and cooperation from the Regional Coordinating  Council .

  The Council has Reverend John Ernest Kwofie as chairman .