Global Peace, an initiative of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) has officially launched its maiden national office in The Gambia.
The vision of Global Peace is to act as a catalyst for collaborative efforts that create social compacts between governments, multi-lateral agencies, the private sector and civil society; towards generating innovative solutions to ongoing challenges to peace and development.
Speaking at the Launch, the Founder and Executive Director of Global Peace, Dr Vasu Gounden said Global Peace was established to encourage young people across the world to work with key stakeholders to enable Global Peace to become an ecosystem for Ideas, Innovators, Influencers, Investors and Implementers to find practical solutions to global challenges, enhancing conflict prevention and strengthening the global multi-lateral system.
According to Dr Gounden, Global Peace is designed to contribute to finding innovative solutions to the rapid exponential population growth, rapid urbanization, destabilizing climate change, a volatile global financial system, mass migration, and the ever-increasing threat of nuclear war that has placed our planet in a race against time. He further noted that, Global Peace will help create a sustainable future that prevents these global challenges from advancing and effectively plunging the world into global instability. Additionally, Global Peace will serve a catalyst for collaboration to address the root causes of conflict by bringing together innovators, implementers, influencers, and investors to harness 21st-century creativity for practical, implementable, and cost-effective solutions.
The new office was inaugurated in Banjul in the presence of government officials, youth leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners. The launch marks a significant step in expanding Global Peace’s work across West Africa and strengthening grassroots efforts for peace, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
Speakers at the event included:
- Mr. Madi Jobarteh, Executive Director, Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice – Chairperson
- Mr. Emmanuel Daniel Joof, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission of The Gambia – Special Guest of Honour
- Dr. Major (Rtd.) Kebba Gibba Lecturer on Peace and Post-Conflict Reconstruction, University of The Gambia – Keynote Speaker
Mama Dzidoasi I, Lawyer/Arbitrator, Sub-Divisional Queen, Gbi Traditional Councilof Hohoe in Ghana and Member of the Global Peace Headquarters Team, swore in the 10-member executive team for the Global Peace Country Office:
- Buba Fatty – Country Representative
- Yankuba Keita – Administrator
- Fatoumatta J Jallow – Coordinator
- Ibrahim M. Bajinka – International Relations Officer
- Sirrah Darboe – Project Officer
- Hanna Barry – Programme Officer
- Omar Jabang – Programme Officer
- Kumba Leigh – Communication Officer
- Ebrima M. Njie – Finance Officer
- Saloum Ceesay – Treasurer
Speaking after the swearing-in, the newly sworn-in Country Representative, Mr. Buba Fatty stated that the office will focus on equipping young Gambians with tools for leadership, digital advocacy, conflict prevention and sustainable development towards realising the vision of Global Peace. “We believe that lasting peace starts with the youth. This office will serve as a hub for training, dialogue, and action to address the root causes of violence and to promote unity in our communities,” he said.
The Global Coordinator General of Global Peace, Mr. Kobla Asamani underscored the importance of the launch stating that The Gambia was selected for maiden event due its strategic location, its youthful population, its democratic transition, and its role as a peace hub in the region. Through the new office, Global Peace will implement programs aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063 premised on Peace, Justice, Strong Institutions and Partnerships for global development, Mr. Asamani added.
Mr. Kobla Asamani further noted that Global Peace epitomizes not merely the absence of war but represent a symbolic relationship between sustainable peace and development; that focuses on the four pillars of Global Peace which are building cooperation, tolerance, and shared values, building inclusive economies, protecting and sustaining our environment and sharing knowledge for human progress.
With this launch, Global Peace joins other international and local organizations working to consolidate peace and democracy in The Gambia following the country’s transition and plans to roll out its flagship programmes in the coming months on the theme “Sustainable Peace For Development In Our Time: Gambia’s Commitment”
