Building a Center for Peace in the Mountains of Ghana
Together a group of young students make the trek up a mostly barren mountain at Odumase Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana. They are joined by Wisdom Addo, an educator and community-organizer who works to promote young Ghanians as leaders of positive change in their communities. These youth are testaments to the impact that Wisdom and his fellow organizers have had on generations of youth in Ghana.
At the top of the moderately high mountain, there is not much to differentiate it between the neighboring peaks. The signs of change are there though, beginning to take root in the newly cleared spaces and turned up dust. In the freshly exposed soil and rocks, Wisdom Addo and these youth see the foundations for hope.
Educator & PeaceJam Africa Director Wisdom Addo speaks to local youth leaders from the construction site of the West Africa Peace Centre.
Soon this land will be home to the West Africa Peace Centre - a major initiative by the West Africa Centre for Peace Foundation and PeaceJam Ghana. The centre will serve as an unparalleled space for youth to receive mentorship, leadership, education, empowerment, programming and entrepreneurship training. The space will host a conference center, educational and vocational training spaces, guest lodging, recreation areas, and a library.
A model of the future West Africa Peace Centre.
Located just two hours outside of Accra, the centre is strategically placed in areas recognized by WACPF and PeaceJam Ghana as those in need of enrichment and leadership opportunities. The centre will also be the hub of PeaceJam Africa, a growing coalition of chapters in regions such as South Africa, Liberia, Uganda and Nigeria. Youth leaders from each region will use this space to gather, learn and create solutions that address the issues that each face in their communities.
PeaceJam youth sing and celebrate on the future site for the Peace Centre
In December of 2022, Wisdom and the youth joined together to mark the beginning of bringing the dream of the West Africa Peace Centre to life. These PeaceJammers have lent their energy and creativity to the project, driven by its potential to uplift other youth. To all potential partners in this journey, they share the following message:
“Hi everybody. We are the PeaceJammers of Akro Senior High Technical School and we would like to express our views on the reasons why we need a Peace Centre in Ghana. PeaceJam is an organization which helps to unleash the potential of the youth for good and therefore we are committed to positive change through the inspiration of our Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skills and wisdom that they embody. This will eventually help us to be responsible leaders as well as to aid in nation-building. Moreover, we, the PeaceJammers of Akro Senior High Technical School, have great potential in us and we will be glad if you help us unleash our potential. We therefore call on everyone to help support and establish this center. Thank you.”
The hard-work to transform this nine-acre land has already begun, bringing the vision steadily towards realization. Like many fellow youth across the globe, these young leaders are brimming with the possibilities on how to create more sustainable and peaceful communities. Now more than ever, transformational spaces such as these are needed to inspire hope and serve as a place to dream, plan and implement programs with the potential to bring widespread impact.
Construction is ongoing on the site for the future West Africa Peace Centre.
As the visit to the summit came to a close, 30 youth gathered in a semi-circle against the backdrop of local skylines and trees. Inspired by the significance of this space and moment, they jumped into a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine, am gonna let shine.” With the tireless dedication and support from Silfab Solar Inc - Canada and the local community, the foundation for their vision has been laid. They stand together now with hope and conviction that the dream will continue to take shape along this beautiful mountainside.
A message from PeaceJam Africa Director and Executive Director - WACPF, Wisdom Addo
A GLOBAL CALL TO INVEST IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Your support is critical for us to achieve this dream. As a founding "funder" of the Peace Centre, you will become part of our WACPF family and build a beautiful legacy by transforming the lives of countless young people in Africa and the rest of the world for years to come.
For those wishing to become a founding “funder” of this initiative, you can make a customized donation at https://www.peacejam.org/donate.
A partial view of the surrounding areas near the construction site.
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