The West Africa Peace Ambassadors Network (WAPAN) is an independent, not-for-profit civil society organization that trains young people to become peaceful and the practical way to deal with violent conflict away from confrontational approaches towards collaborative solutions that result in nonzero-sum outcomes through peace education. Also, through youth and leadership training, WAPAN contributes to conflict prevention and peacebuilding in West Africa, particularly in Ghana. Our goal is to train and empower the African youth with conflict management, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and mediation skills so that they become peace ambassadors in their communities and contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 16.
WAPAN believes that working in partnership with local and international development agencies, governments and communities, we can significantly reduce all forms of violence and find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity in West Africa. Since 2016, WAPAN has trained about 60 youth selected from across Africa on conflict management/resolution and peacebuilding enabling them to become ‘Peace Rebels’ (individuals using the knowledge and practical skills gained to transform their conflict devastated communities). To achieve sustainable peace, peace clubs have been established in nine different schools where the schoolchildren/youth between the ages of 7 and 24 are trained to become peace agents in their families, schools and communities.
Objectives
The objectives of WAPAN are to:
- Establish peace clubs in schools from basic to pre/tertiary levels and harmonize peace activities in West Africa through networking and collaboration.
- Partner or collaborate with local and international peace actors working to promote and strengthen peace and security in West Africa and beyond.
- Train local leaders in mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), conflict prevention, and support long-term peacebuilding initiatives in West Africa.
- To provide the youth with the prerequisite skills in leadership, nonviolence campaigns, and the capacity to participate in formal peace processes at all levels.
- To undertake peace and conflict research on issues that threaten peace, security and stability, and increase awareness on the use of nonviolent strategies in response to conflicts in West Africa.
Our Mission
To promote peaceful coexistence and respect for all humans and the environment.
Our Vision
To become the leading peace organisation that builds the capacity of the African youth through peace education and leadership training towards achieving sustainable peace.
Core Values
Integrity— WAPAN demonstrates honesty, transparency, ethics and strong moral values in its operations. This is evident through working with staff and partners of high integrity and accomplishments.
Inclusiveness— WAPAN is committed to working with (every) change actor(s), regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, size, grassroots or developed organization, vulnerable and the weak while pledging environmental responsibility in its activities.
Teamwork and Respect— WAPAN applies a collaborative effort with its team members, partners while displaying mutual respect to achieve a common goal in the most effective and efficient way.
