Accra, Ghana - In order to commemorate the International Day of Peace, UPF-Ghana organized workshops for Ambassadors for Peace and for youth leaders, ending with a Peace Rally on September 21. The activities were as shown below:
FIVE-DAY WORKSHOP FOR AMBASSADORS FOR PEACE AND DIGNITARIES
From September 5-9, a workshop was held on the theme: “Cross Cultural Marriage and Ideal Families as the Cornerstone for World Peace” in Accra for Ambassadors for Peace and other dignitaries, including religious leaders. Ten people attended all five days of presentations. The program ended on September 9 with 23 people appointed Ambassadors for Peace.
During the closing ceremony, a Member of the Council of State, Hon. Adjei Annang, congratulated the participants, and the Secretary General of UPF-Ghana, Mrs. Helen M. Osei, gave the keynote address on the mission of Ambassadors for Peace. Among the awardees was the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Pan African Christian Theological University, Rev. Prof. Edwin N. Korley, who is currently Ghana’s representative on the Global Peace Council.
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TWO-DAY WORKSHOP FOR YOUTH LEADERS AND A SERVICE PROJECT
There was a two-day workshop for 15 youth leaders from several regions of Ghana September 20 and 21. The cost of transportation prevented others from attending. The workshop began with an opening ceremony. Lecture contents focused on “Attitude,” “Leadership and Good Governance,” and “Character Education.”
At 6:30 the next morning, the youth began gathering at the Amasaman Hospital in the Ga West Municipal Assembly in the Greater Accra Region for a clean up at the hospital premises. This activity, however, was disrupted by a heavy downpour which lasted for two hours. It was decided to return to the workshop site.
While the workshop was going on, the Municipal Director of the National Youth Council, Mr. Nash Abbey, who is also an Ambassador for Peace, led a four-person delegation to visit the Hope Children’s Orphanage in Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region of Ghana. This orphanage runs a home for 220 children from ages 4 to 22. The children are picked from every part of Ghana through the assistance of the social welfare office. With the love, care, and education they receive from their home parents, they are able to grow and develop the self-discipline that helps them pursue their destinies. The home, which has been operating for about 11 years, cares for children until they obtain their first degree in any field of their choice. The Universal Peace Federation and the Women's Federation for World Peace jointly donated clothing, toys, candies and cookies, and a cash donation of US$200 to the orphans.
The one-and-a-half day workshop filled the youth leaders with excitement, and they wished it could have lasted for more days. The workshop ended in the afternoon of September 21 with 12 youth leaders receiving Certificates of Completion.
PEACE RALLY
The International Day of Peace celebration was brought to a close with an indoor rally and Award Ceremony, with almost 100 people in attendance. The theme for the rally was “Leadership and Good Governance, Let Your Voice Be Heard.” The Keynote Address on God's Ideal of Peace was delivered by the Secretary General UPF-Ghana.
At the close of the final event, six distinguished leaders were appointed Ambassadors for Peace. Guests went home filled with enthusiasm, looking forward to more such gatherings. They pledged to disseminate UPF's vision for peace as “One Family Under God.”