Institutional Framework for Peacebuilding in Ghana: An Assessment of the National Peace Council

Abstract

Peace is essential to the development of every state and it is also crucial to the realisation of human rights. For this reason, many states have put in place infrastructures to help consolidate their peace. Ghana forms part of the few states in Africa with a national peace architecture. The study discussed the institutional framework for peacebuilding in Ghana and focused on assessing the National Peace Council. The objective of the study was to do a comprehensive assessment of the Peace Council to ascertain how it has performed in the process of consolidating Ghana’s peace, especially after 2011 when it was given parliamentary recognition in Act 818. The study employed a qualitative approach to data collection. Data gathered was then analysed within the Conflict Theory which underpins the study and the literature review. The study found that the mandate of the NPC is essential to Ghana’s peacebuilding and the Council has to an extent contributed to Ghana’s peace by preventing, managing and resolving conflicts including electoral, chieftaincy, ethnic and land disputes as well as engaging in capacity building activities. It was, however, found that the NPC tends to become more prominent in electoral related disputes than other areas of conflicts due to the differences in the nature of the various conflicts that exist and also the availability of funds for the Council to operate during elections. The study identified financial impediments as the major challenge that confronts the Council and hence, it has not been able to operate at its full capacity to yield the best results in Ghana’s peacebuilding. The study thus highlights the relevance of the NPC and the extent to which it has contributed to Ghana’s peacebuilding. It also serves as a policy note for the government and a guide for the Council to revamp its activities.