In 2010, Ghana took a bold step towards conflict prevention by deciding not to wait until violence flared up before seeking solutions. With guidance from civil society organizations (CSOs), academic researchers, and other stakeholders, the National Peace Council (NPC) was established through Act 818 in 2011.
Lauded as a groundbreaking initiative for embedding peacebuilding into the DNA of the Ghanaian state, the National Peace Council was envisioned as a modern African response to potential conflicts.
International donors such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and various European agencies hailed its establishment, providing generous grants to ensure the success of this new institution.
However, the grand vision of the National Peace Council has faltered in recent years as it now faces a crisis of credibility, particularly with its main stakeholders, including political parties.
This year, one of its most visible activities—the signing of a peace pact among political parties ahead of every general election has been marred by boycotts, most notably by the main opposition party, which has accused the council of systemic bias.
This accusation strikes at the heart of the institution’s credibility, raising serious questions about its impartiality and effectiveness.
Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, in a compelling statement, noted that much of the current confusion surrounding the Peace Council stems from widespread misunderstanding about its mandate and structure.
According to him, many Ghanaians mistakenly believe that the NPC operates as a civil society organization or a private initiative, given its seemingly hesitant stance on matters involving government conduct.
“From where I sit, there is a lot of confusion about the exact nature and mandate of the Peace Council. Some of its critics don’t even know that it is a fully-fledged government agency under the Ministry of Interior. That its board is appointed by the President of Ghana”.
Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
This proximity to the government, Bright Simons argued has led to suspicions that the council is unable or unwilling to act independently when necessary.
NPC’s Financial Dependence
Financially, the civil society leader and activist emphasized that the Peace Council is in a precarious position, asserting that while it receives some handouts from donors, such as the UNDP, it largely depends on government funding to sustain its operations.
“In 2024, the council’s budget is pegged at roughly 15 million GHS. A hard-up government recently had to divert 2 million GHS from the District Assembly Common Fund to shore up its budget so salaries can continue to be paid”.
Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
These funding woes, he suggested have only deepened the perception that the Peace Council is beholden to the government, undermining its credibility as an impartial arbiter of peace.
Institutional Challenges
Moreover, the IMANI Honorary Vice President pointed out that despite its challenges, the National Peace Council itself is well aware of its growing credibility deficit.
According to him, internal strategic reviews have identified the need for urgent institutional reform, acknowledging that the council’s relevance and effectiveness hinge on addressing these concerns.
Yet, Bright Simons argued that rather than focusing on reforming its governance structure or bolstering its independence, the Peace Council appears preoccupied with expanding its physical presence across Ghana.
“The council’s strategic reviews are very clear about the need for institutional reform. Yet, the focus has been on building offices in all 16 regions and 261 districts of Ghana. Recently, the US government funded one of these regional offices in the North. In 2020, when it had a staff of just 51, its medium-term plan would have required 10x more personnel to execute”.
Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education
Bright Simons strongly argued that the bureaucratic expansion of the National Peace Council has eroded its effectiveness, a classic example of what happens when a well-intentioned idea morphs into an inflexible institution.
He referenced a Brazilian legal theorist and philosopher Roberto Unger, whom he noted has long warned about the dangers of bureaucracies that lose their ability to adapt and evolve, becoming rigid forms that persist despite their declining utility.
What the Peace Council needs now according to Bright Simons is not more offices, but bold reforms, asserting that its credibility cannot be restored unless it is restructured to operate independently, free from political influence and insulated from the shifting tides of government appointments.
He expressed disappointment over the Council’s focus on growing its bureaucratic footprint than on fixing its structural flaws.
The Honorary Vice President of the leading policy think-tank, IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, firmly posited that as the National Peace Council mandate becomes increasingly blurred, the institution risks losing the moral authority it was created to wield.
It is without doubt that Ghana’s political landscape remains fraught with tension, particularly in election seasons, and the National Peace Council is supposed to be at the forefront of maintaining peace and stability.
However, without meaningful reforms to address its perceived biases, the Council risks becoming an empty shell, out of touch with the public’s needs and incapable of fulfilling its mandate.
As earlier pointed out, the National Peace Council in its current form exemplifies the pitfalls of bureaucratic stagnation, a cautionary tale for other institutions that seek to navigate the delicate balance between growth and effectiveness.
Ghana needs a Peace Council that can command the trust of all its citizens, not just an expanded network of regional offices.
It is only by confronting its internal weaknesses that the Council can regain its standing and fulfil the role it was created to play—ensuring peace in a modern, democratic Ghana.
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