As the world commemorates world peace day, the West African Network of Journalists for Peace Building, through its Regional President issued a statement, calling on all media practitioners to make more sensitisation on the significance of peace.

Below we reproduce the full text of the statement:

“Each year people around the world observe and commemorate this day as a global day of peace and global cease fire-cessation of hostilities, a day of mending relationships and peace- building.

This day is an important means to raise global awareness of the importance of peace and conflict prevention and highlight the work being done to build peace around the world.

To mark the day, I use the opportunity to remind all and sundry, particularly West African Journalists to be actively engaged in promoting peace and security in our sub-region.

I call on all media practitioners in our region, particularly member states of the West Africa Network of Journalists for Peace-Building (WANJOP) namely Ghana, The Gambia, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mali and Guinea Bissau, to use their media outlets to sensitise their audience on the significant of peace.

As media workers we have a crucial role to play in the maintenance of peace and security in our region and the world at large. It’s imperative to note that peace is the most valuable thing in life without which there cannot be any meaningful and sustainable development.

This day is not only about creating peace between nations, it’s about non-violence in our homes, communities and schools. Therefore, the day is relevant to every human being on earth, especially those who have experienced conflict or are facing war.

I called on all and sundry to join us in our quest for a peaceful world and by standing up for peace. As we mark this important day we must remember those in the war zones in our prayers and if possible help them with

WANJOP calls on all those residing in West Africa to remain united and promote peace initiatives in our respective countries. As journalists we need to focus on peace journalism as we already have the medium to foster peace in our societies.

We owe it to our audience to promote peace. We must continue to unite our people and desist from all form of practice that can create trouble and disorder.

Meanwhile, as we mark the day, I encourage you to remember all journalists who loose their lives in the execution of their duties especially at war Zones.

I would like to seize this opportunity to appeal to all member states to give maximum support to WANJOP.”