English | Français

WAPI 2002 in Retrospect

Initiated by the collaborative effort of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and its strategic partners, CORDAID, the Institute for Justice and Peacebuilding of the Eastern Mennonite University and the Catholic Relief Services – West Africa Regional Office (CRS-WARO); inspired by the need to develop the capacity of Peacebuilding practitioners and other interested persons in West Africa to effectively respond to the complex emergencies of violent conflicts that engulf the subregion,

The West Africa Peacebuilding Institute (the first of its kind in West Africa) was launched in September 2, 2002 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra. The training program followed immediately at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

The impetus for this was the hope that understanding indigenous resources, relevant to responding to contemporary conflicts, will increase the possibilities of achieving reconciled, just and stable societies in the sub region that will serve as platforms for socio-economic development.

WAPI 2002 was a three-week intensive training that comprised of lectures, discussions, role plays, simulations and visual display of case studies. Class activities included assigned readings, take-home assignments, lectures and group projects. Participants were particularly overwhelmed with the simulations and role-plays. As one participant put it; “the simulations and role-plays have left lasting imprints on my mind”. There was a sense of camaraderie between participants and instructors. The latter merely facilitated the training so that participants could share their ‘from the field’ experiences. This was not only stimulating but also provided participants the opportunity to have wider views of the on-going situations in the sub region.

Participants were implored not to regard WAPI as a month-long affair, but to make knowledge and skills gained over the three weeks reflective in their day-to-day efforts in responding to conflict and peacebuilding in their respective countries. The three weeks training came to an end with highly motivated and empowered peacebuilders.

The 2002 ‘Ubuntus Class’

The pioneer class of the West Africa Peacebuilding Institute (WAPI) comprised of 45 participants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Guinea, The Gambia and Uganda.

With diverse views, political perspectives, ideas, skills and experiences of living in conflict areas, participants came with different expectations, but were open and enthusiastic to learn and share ideas and experiences.

Condemning the existing culture of violence in the sub region and realizing that they could form coalitions to address problems and build communities, they referred to themselves as the ‘”ubuntu class”. Ubuntu is a Bantu word deep in meaning that words cannot capture. It is best described as “because we are I am”. It is Africa’s profound understanding of the wholeness of all of life.

For the Ubuntus, a typical day consisted of breakfast in the morning in the GIMPA cafeteria, from where they walked across to attend lectures. Lunch was followed by a short break, after which classes resumed. Participants were left to enjoy the cool of the evening after dinner: many took leisure strolls or stayed together in groups. Over the weekend participants went out shopping and in the evenings were treated to a special dinner at the La Palm Royal Hotel and the Kama Conference Centre respectively.

During one of these special dinners, the Executive Director, Sam Doe and the Director of Program, Emmanuel Bombande, stressed the need to take our destiny back into our hands by believing in ourselves, as people from the same region, with the same problems and with the capability to resolve and transform our conflicts.

Despite the little dissatisfactions that arose within the group, the training program successfully came to an end on September 21, 2002 with elated participants who were eager to go back to their respective countries to apply knowledge and skills acquired.

They expressed gratitude to WANEP for giving Peacebuilding practitioners in the region the opportunity to receive quality training, similar to those in Europe or America, at a lower cost and within the purview of regional realities. To strengthen the linkages formed, they suggested that a WAPI Alumni be formed.

Fun Time

As the saying goes, “all work and no play…” The training program was climaxed with an outdoor dinner with a memorable cultural display by a Ghanaian cultural troupe, who treated participants and instructors to rich Ghanaian traditional dances and music. These inspired participants so much that they quickly took over the dance floor and engaged the professional dancers in what can be referred to as a “West African Dance championship”.

This had everyone doubled over in laughter. Participants were awarded with Certificates of Achievement for completing the course successfully and implored to effectively utilize the knowledge and skills acquired. The flame must be kept burning! WAPI MUST NOT DIE and Peace must not elude West Africa.

Top