Peace Advocacy and Voluntary Organisers Association (PAVOA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is using music, dance and drumming to promote peace and unity in the Upper East Region.
To achieve its objectives the NGO, at the weekend organised a music, dance and drumming competition at Sumburungu in the Bolgatanga Municipality for 20 women groups and 19 youth groups, to mark its 8th anniversary celebration.
The Project Co-ordinator of POVOA, Mr. Richard Abunse-Nyaabire explained that his outfit is using the approach to fight against ethnicity, political and religious intolerance, land and chieftaincy issues, which it had identified as major problems in the region.
He noted that the rich cultural and traditional values of the people are being overshadowed by Western culture, which is breeding immorality and indiscipline among the youth.
Mr. Abunse-Nyaabire said traditional music, dance and drumming played an important role in instilling moral values into people thereby discouraging them especially the youth from engaging in conflicts.
He commended the National Peace Council, other organisations and individuals for contributing towards peace in the country.
He appealed to the people of Bawku and Yendi to give peace a chance.
The Deputy Regional Director of National Culture, Mr. Kombat N. Fuzzy, commended POVOA for the peace initiative programme and said it would help reduce the numerous conflicts including chieftaincy and land issues which are predominant in the area.
He said music, drumming and dancing were powerful instruments that could be used to enable people understand and appreciate the need for peaceful co-existence.
Ms Mary Azongo, Municipal Home Science Extension Supervisor, advised parents to stop giving out their daughters for early marriages and for child labour, saying such practices were violations of their human rights especially the children's Act.