Peace and development studies programme to commence

The University, under the auspices of the Centre for Development Studies (CDS) and the Department of Sociology would from June, 2008, run the "Peace and Development Studies Programme."
The Programme, which comes in two packages namely, the M.Phil and M.A. (Sandwich) components, is intended to "build capacity through teaching, research and community outreach for conflict management, promotion of peace and national development."

This disclosure was made at a workshop, which the CDS and the Department of Sociology organized at the Adabor Conference Room of the Institute of Education to sensitize stakeholders on the programme.

The Head of the Department of Geography and Tourism, Prof. A.M. Abane, who chaired the function on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, said that though the introduction of new programmes is usually met with some resistance, the value of such programmes are eventually projected when the programmes start to run.

He emphasized that the introduction of the Peace and Development Studies programme was timely, especially in a period where Ghana is experiencing conflict situations.

In an address, the Dean of Students, Prof. A.A. Addo-Quaye, who represented the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, said that the Programme had come at an opportune time where the need to build lasting peace in Ghana and the sub-region, engendered by conflict situations in Ghana and neighbouring countries had become paramount.

The Dean stated that the first batch of students would
be enrolled in the 2008/2009 academic year, and therefore appealed to stakeholders to assist the students whenever the students visited their organizations to seek information. He expressed his profound gratitude to the UNDP for its immense support towards the successful mounting of the programme.

The UNDP Representative, Dr. Ozonnia Ojielo said the programme represents a successful experience towards mainstreaming peace education in Ghana. He added that Ghana's establishment of peace councils at various levels depicts her commitment to building peace in Ghana and the sub-region.

Dr. Ojielo declared that the UNDP had decided to support the programme with $5,000 for the purchase of books, and further pledged his organization's continued support for the University to ensure the success of the programme.

He donated 20 titles of books from his personal library to UCC in appreciation of the good work which the CDS and the Department of Sociology had done.

The workshop attracted representatives from the security agencies, traditional councils, religious and government organizations.

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