World Unity and Peace International (WUPI), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting peace, unity, defending human dignity and advancing sustainable development, has been launched in Accra.

The organisation also unveiled its charter, the supreme instrument that defines its identity, purpose, principles and the framework for its global operations.

It envisions a world united in peace, justice and harmony, where every person enjoys dignity, opportunity and security, and nations work together for the common good.

Speaking at the launch on Monday, the Chief of the Ekumfi-Eyisam Traditional Area, Nana Impream VIII, said promoting peace and unity required citizens to desist from political and religious divisions.

He said truth, justice, love and freedom, the four pillars of peace and unity, were essential to the development of every nation, and urged members of WUPI to uphold them to achieve the organisation’s objectives.

Nana Impream VIII expressed concern about situations where people engaged in actions that undermined national peace and unity because of the news they consumed or information received from like-minded individuals.

According to him, such situations often led to anger, hate speech, intolerance and civil conflict, as people failed to compromise or listen to opposing views.

“By signing this charter, we are indeed called not only to prevent, manage and put an end to conflict, but also to contribute to the building of our order based on truth, justice, love and freedom,” he said.

The Founder and President of WUPI, Okronkronyi Nyami Somafo Yawoh (The Faith Healer), expressed concern over derogatory comments made by some individuals, particularly the youth, on social media about the elderly in society and government officials.

He said such comments could undermine the peace and unity of the country and advised the youth to desist from the practice.

The Editor of the Multimedia Group and lecturer at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), Dr Akwesi Agyeman, cited the Rwanda genocide and urged media practitioners to be mindful of the language used in their reportage to safeguard the country’s peace and security.

He said the media’s mandate went beyond educating, entertaining and informing the public to helping transform society.

“I will encourage all of us that if the policymakers, traditional rulers and politicians want us to do the dirty work to plunge this country into chaos, we should be able to stand firm, look straight into their eyes and say no,” Dr Agyeman said.

The chairperson for the launch, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr Nana Freduah Agyemang Budu II, Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area, represented by Nana Akosua Kumi Yeboah, commended the founder for establishing the organisation and called on stakeholders to support it to achieve its objectives.

The organisation is expected to hold the WUPI Summit in September this year.

Other dignitaries at the event included Amina Essel, wife of the founder, Ohemaa Ama Koomson, Asanfona, and Nii Shipee Ablade, Chief of Adjen Kotoku.