Sheikh Ali Abubakar Napari (R) with some of the participants
Over 200 participants including chiefs, various youth groups, religious leaders, coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), last Saturday joined The Light Foundation (TLF) to walk through some principal streets at Madina in Accra to mark International Day of Peace.
The youth, who were from communities such as Ashaley Botwe, Adentan, Adjiringanor, Dzen Ayor, included youth groups such as Angels United, Ogbojo, 5-Love and Care for Madina, Alfagr Youth Club, Kaboul Youth Club, Ansaruddeen Youth Club, and Tonko (Tike) Gym Club, participated in a football gala as part of activities to mark the day, all aimed at promoting peace.
The walk, spanning about 6 kilometres, started from the Madina Central Mosque and ended at the Madina Zongo Libya Quarters, and was also interspersed with various physical exercises as well as aerobics to improve participants’ health and well-being.
The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, instituted by the United Nations, is observed annually across the globe on September 21.
Chief Executive of The Light Foundation, Sheikh Ali Abubakar Napari, in an interview with journalists after the walk, urged the youth to eschew any acts that has the tendency to spark violence and live peacefully with others before, during and after the December 7 elections.
Sheikh Napari also said the theme for the campaign dubbed “Let’s Live Together; Let’s Live Peacefully” (Muzauna Taarey; Muzauna Laafia), also advised the youth to focus on their education in order to acquire knowledge and the needed skills to improve themselves and become useful to the country.
Also present at the event include Chief of Kusuntu, Kotokoli Chief, Chief Imam of Adenta, Sheikh Mohammed Mutawakil Abubakari, General Secretary of the Coalition of Muslim NGOs, Alhaji Sulemana Alhassan, while the National Ambulance Service was on hand to provide medical support, ensuring the safety of all participants.
Dignitaries and political party representatives present also commended The Light Foundation for their ongoing efforts to campaign for peace as well as sensitise the youth on the importance of staying away from political violence, especially as the country prepares for the upcoming 2024 elections.
The Light Foundation (TLF) is a non-profit humanitarian and development organisation with a focus on women and children, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), skills development among the youth and education.
The foundation, established over 15 years ago, has provided skills training to many people, particularly the youth in deprived communities.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah