Center for Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies

14/09/2026

Abdulai Zulkaninu Rev. Fr. David Dum, Parish Priest of the Damongo Catholic Diocese, has called on young leaders to uphold

14/09/2026

GHANA'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON CHARACTER, NOT JUST LAWS — REV. FR. DAVID DUM

The Executive Director of Center for Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies, (CECOTAPS) Rev. Fr. David Dum, has called on young leaders to uphold the rule of law and ethical leadership standards.

Speaking at the NCCE Youth Leaders Empowerment Dialogue in Damongo on Saturday, September 12, 2026, he said:

"Ghana’s future will not be determined solely by laws enacted or institutions established, but also by the character and attitudes of people who occupy positions of influence.”

He reminded the youth that leadership is stewardship, not ownership, and that public office is a public trust — not private property.

The program, organized by NCCE Savannah Region under the PAIRED Programme, brought together student leaders, teacher unions, and youth groups to champion accountability and integrity.

04/09/2026

Monitoring Visit on Mixed Mediation Committee and Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) 🤝🕊️

A monitoring visit was conducted to assess the progress and impact of the Village Savings and Loans Associations and a Mixed Mediation Committees. This project was carried out by CECOTAPS with funding support by USAID in 12 communities within Damongo Municipality in 2021. The engagement provided an opportunity to interact with committee members, review activities undertaken, identify emerging challenges, and discuss practical ways to strengthen collaboration.

The committee continues to play an important role in fostering dialogue, trust, peaceful co-existence and sustainable conflict resolution between Fulbe herders and farmers within their respective communities

Through continued monitoring, support, and collaboration, we remain committed to building stronger community-based structures for peace and development.

Together, through dialogue and understanding, we can build lasting peace. 🕊️🤝

18/08/2026

Thank you Pad Fm News 95.1 Mhz for spotlighting our Peace and Development Conference in Damongo.

By highlighting the
importance of peace building in Northern Ghana, you have helped give more people a voice in shaping a peaceful future.

We appreciate your partnership in peace.

The Country Director of COGINTA-Ghana, Rev. Fr. Clement Aapengnuo (PhD), has called for renewed commitment to peacebuilding in Northern Ghana,

18/08/2026

We sincerely thank Citi 97.3 FM - Channel One TV for featuring the CECOTAPS Peace and Development Conference.

Your coverage helped amplify the urgent conversation on peace building in Northern Ghana. Together, we can transform the peace and security landscape in our communities.

https://youtu.be/itACds9XtDg?si=cX7eOusZFx0IP39n

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14/08/2026

Reflecting on 30 Years of Peacebuilding in Northern Ghana
Last week, the CECOTAPS Peace and Development Conference brought together a powerful coalition of peace practitioners, traditional and faith leaders, government officials, and development partners at the Unity Centre in Damongo.
Over two days, we gathered not just to celebrate nearly three decades of impact, but to critically examine the road ahead under the theme: "Transforming the Peace and Security Landscape in Northern Ghana - the role of CECOTAPS."

Key takeaways from the dialogue:
📌 We must shift from short-term interventions to long-term preventive, community-led peacebuilding.
📌 Sustained dialogue and strong local institutions are the bedrock of resilient communities.
📌 Inclusivity and partnerships are non-negotiable for sustainable development.

A special highlight was the keynote address by Hon. Emmanuel Bombande, who challenged us to think strategically about the peace terrain in Northern Ghana, emphasizing that the future hinges on our collective commitment to preventive action.
The conference reaffirmed our collective resolve to strengthen CECOTAPS as a regional centre of excellence for conflict transformation and mediation.
Together, we can strengthen resilient communities and advance sustainable peace.

Grateful to the Bishop of Damongo, the Savannah Regional Minister Hon Salisu Be-Awuribe, the Diocese of Münster, TEPPIA, CRS Ghana and all speakers and participants for their invaluable contributions.
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27/05/2026

🌙✨Eid-MUBARAK🌙✨

On behalf of everyone at CECOTAPS, we extend our warm wishes to you and your loved ones this blessed day of sacrifice and devotion.

Eid al-Adha stands as a profound reminder of faith, charity, and selflessness—values that sit at the heart of our work in building peaceful and resilient communities. As we commemorate this day, we at CECOTAPS renew our commitment to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and healing across our society.

May this season inspire us all to open our hearts to one another, to act with compassion, and to work collectively toward a more just and harmonious Ghana. May our shared values of love, respect, and unity continue to bind us together.

Eid Al-Adha from all of us at CECOTAPS.

27/01/2026

CECOTAPS carried out Facilitated Community Dialogue sessions in the project beneficiary communities of Singa, Donkompe, Anyanto and Jinfrono in North Gonja District. Each community was represented by 30 participants (15 Fulbe Herders and 15 Farmers).
The participants had the opportunity to listen and understand each other’s concerns about their respective occupations and ethnicity, and they suggested ways of improving their peaceful co-existence. Discussions centered on causes of conflicts( such as discrimination, stereotyping, perceptions and generalizations, poverty, inappropriate information handling etc,), Effects of Fulbe Herder-Farmer conflicts and Dialogue as a tool for resolving the Fulbe Herder-Farmer conflicts. The sessions were very practical, demonstrative and interactive. This created the full and active participation of participants. At the end of the Dialogue sessions, each community selected and presented 6 people (3 Fulbe Herders and 3 Farmers) to be trained in the next phase to form Mixed Mediation Committees.
Find below some pictures of the dialogue session in the beneficiary communities.

22/01/2026

Today, we hosted a delegation from the Canadian High Commission for a productive meeting. The discussion centered on the security situation in the Savannah region, factors contributing to insecurity, and CECOTAPS' efforts to address security issues.

Key Discussion Points included:
1. Farmer- Herder tensions
2. Chieftaincy disputes
3. Land and natural resource management
4. Security actors and civilian tensions

The delegation expressed appreciation for CECOTAPS' interventions and commitment to promoting peace in the region. They promised to visit again, indicating interest in further collaboration.

23/12/2025

CECOTAPS with support from Conciliation Resources through NORTHCODE GHANA has launched the Project: Promoting Collaboration between Farmers and Fulbe Herders in the North Gonja District, targeting four communities: Jinfrono, Anyanto, Singa, and Donkompe.

Stakeholder Engagement

We conducted stakeholder engagement meetings with key stakeholders, including:

- The Savannah Regional Peace Council
- The District Chief Executive (DCE) of North Gonja
- The North Gonja District Police Commander
- The Department of Agriculture
- The Wasipewura

These stakeholders pledged their support for the smooth implementation of the initiative.

Community Entry

The team also carried out community entry activities in all four beneficiary communities, observing all necessary protocols. The communities expressed their cooperation and assured their active participation in subsequent activities.