The South Africa based African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Dispute (ACCORD), has conferred on Ghana the Africa Peace Award for 2012, Mr. Billy Modise, the Trustee of the ACCORD announced in Accra on Friday.

The award is in recognition of Ghana’s role in continental peace efforts, as the Centre also recognizes the role of Ghana’s first president Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, on his role in peace building on the Continent and during the African liberation struggle.

The award was announced by a delegation from the Centre, led by Mr. Modise during a courtesy call on President John Evans Atta Mills at the Osu Castle in Accra to inform him of the Award and invite him to the awards ceremony in South Africa in either next October or November this year.

The ceremony is usually held under the auspices of the host President of South Africa.

According to Mr. Modise, the award is given to individuals, institutions and countries in recognition of their efforts to peace and for their pursuit of peaceful resolution of conflicts and reconciliation.

He said the Centre recognized the role of the Ghana Government in ensuring peace, which had sent strong signals to other African nations to also work for peace and security on the African continent and beyond.

Mr. Modise commended the Government and people Ghana for carving a niche for their country as a contributor to world peace, and commended Ghana’s servicemen and women in international peacekeeping operations.

He also commended the Mills Administration for the promotion of good governance.

Responding, President Mills expressed concern about the resurgence of war in some parts of the Continent, and defined peace as a paramount prerequisite for accelerated development.

He regretted that the inability to resolve conflicts and ensure peace had resulted in the denial of some Ghanaians and, for that matter, Africans the opportunity to serve their home nations under the best of conditions, and found themselves rather elsewhere where the situations were not the best.

“Without peace, there would be no progress, and this is not only about Ghana, but also the rest of Africa,” President Mills said, adding that the people of Ghana would be excited about the prize.

President Mills explained the negative repercussions of conflicts, and urged all to choose the path of peace.

He expressed the appreciation of the Government and people of Ghana to the Centre for the prize, and the honour done the nation.

Previous recipients of the Award include former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and the nations of Mozambique (1997), Nigeria (2000), Burundi (2006) and Sierra Leone (2010).**