By:Michael Petit Mawugbe (Efo Mawugbe)-Back from Bamako
West Africa particularly the Sahel is plagued with political instability threatening peace in the region as a result.
This instability has led to violent extremism in the Sahel, a situation Experts say could spill over to the sub-region if stringent and pragmatic measures are not taken to curtail what appears to be a major security threat in the region.
Arch Bishop of Mali, Cardinal Philipe Ouedraogo
It is against this background that the media is being urged to churn out narratives that promotes Peace devoid of divisiveness.
A declaration at the end of the 2-day Regional Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Forum organized by the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) Secretariat with support from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Bamako, Mali, media Professionals and Online Experts drawn from member countries were called upon to use their powerful influence to build trust among societies and adhere to conflict sensitive reporting mechanisms to promote peace.
Bishop Dembelle of Mali
“To the media Professionals, we urge you to choose each day, narratives that enlighten and build trust among our societies, rather those that inflame.
Engage actively in networks committed to SPI and contribute to reshaping the narrative on the Sahel and West Africa”, the communique said.
Media representatives from member countries who participated in the forum collaboratively framed the SPI Media Charter.
The Charter is envisioned as a guiding framework to promote conflict-sensitive reporting, ethical standards, and responsible communication devoid of misinformation and disinformation in support of peace, social cohesion, and democratic stability across the region.
The Communique touched on the need for the Sahel Peace Initiative to be supported financially in order to expand its actions and mobilize religious and traditional leaders for collective efforts in the service of the common good.
The Ghana Delegation-fom left Michael Petit Mawugbe (Efo Mawugbe), Sheikh Dr. Hussein Zacharia, Colonel Kelbin Merdiemah, Richard Akurugu Nyaaba.
“To technical and financial partners, we urge you to support all peace initiatives
Peace requires resources. It requires real, concrete, patients, coherent and sustained investment .
Supporting Peace efforts means strengthening prevention, supporting social cohesion enabling mediation and dialogue reinforcing local resilience and rebuilding trust and at both local and international levels”, the Communique said.
International actors were also called upon to play a constructive role in the current geopolitical reconfiguration of the world and respect the right of people to self-determination and to control their natural resources for their own development.
Support States in addressing transnational challenges such as nuclear proliferation, climate change ,migration crises ,poverty and security”, it said.
At a short closing ceremony on Friday March 28, 2026, Arch Bishop of Mali, Cardinal Philipe Ouedraogo, the President of SPI, Arch Bishop of Burkina Faso, Alexandre Bazie, Sheikh Dr. Hazic Hussein of Ghana who doubled as Vice President and other Catholic and all Bishops and religious leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work with all people of good will so that all forms of violence may cease and their root causes, eradicated.
The Director of CRS Ghana, Richard Akurugu Nyaaba stressed the need for partnership with the SPI to ensure cross border investment into inter religious platforms to ensure peace in the Sahel and West Africa.
President of Online Publishers Association of Ghana (OPAG) Mr. Michael Petit Mawugbe (Efo Mawugbe) who was part of the Ghana delegation and spearheaded the SPI media Charter, lauded SPI and CRS for such a forum describing it as a spring board for Peace building.
‘SPI, Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Relief Services have shown that Christianity is not only about prayers but being humanitarian to others. They deserve praises and commendation”, OPAG President stressed.
He expressed his commitment to support SPI achieve its desired goals.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
