The Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Zakaria Issah, asked the people of Yendi to support the painstaking efforts by the government and other stakeholders to find lasting peace in Yendi and Dagbon as a whole.
He indicated that if the gains made so far were to be consolidated they must constantly work together to find a holistic solution to the fundamental causes of the conflict, which are poverty, illiteracy and hunger.
Mr. Zakaria said this at a dialogue on Human Security, organized by the United Nations for traditional authorities, services commanders, assembly members, heads of departments and agencies among others, at Yendi in the Northern Region.
He stated that conflict, as they knew, was inextricably related to poverty, especially when the young people are unemployed.
He said the United Nations, recognizing this, commenced the Human Security and Recovery Programme in some communities in the Municipality.
Its main pillars are Peace Building, Food Security and Livelihood Empowerment.
According to the Municipal Chief Executive, following the intervention, many workshops on peace building had been organized for opinion leaders, and heads of departments, aimed at enhancing Human Security through developing Local Capacity for holistic community-based conflict prevention.
Mr. Zakaria stated that additionally, two grinding mills had been installed in Yendi for two women’s groups. Other beneficiaries have been selected for livelihood projects, with some receiving small ruminants towards enhancing their economic fortunes.
He said that through the World Food Programme, food supplement was also being provided for lactating mothers in the Municipality.
He reminded them that the dialogue is to foster their ownership of the programme and ensure its sustainability.
The Programme Manager of UN Joint Human Security Programme, Mr. Eddie Adimazoya, said the Human Security Programme was a holistic approach to sustainable development.
Mr. Adimazoya said the UN project launched the programme to address issues of poverty, deprivation, economic threat, powerlessness and insecurity of the people of Yendi, Tamale, Bawku and Wa in the three Northern Regions.
He pointed out that these areas had had some perennial disturbances and it was important that efforts were channelled to address the challenges.
He said the United Nations Joint Team contacted the University of Ghana, University of Development Studies and others, to conduct a baseline survey at Zohe, Kumfong, Balogu, Nayilifong and Guntingle in the Yendi Municipality, which are the Human Security Communities so that effective implementation could be ensured.