The first meeting of the coastal platform for peace building (COPP) has been held with a call on members to be sensitive in identifying early warning signals to mitigate any form of violence.

The Platform established by the West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP), Ghana, in the Western Region, is a nine-month sponsored project by the LOGODEP aimed at contributing to the reduction of violence in the region and Ghana as a whole.

Mr. Justin Bayor, Network Coordinator, addressing the members of the platform, noted that documented experience from countries producing and exporting natural resource were often engulfed by conflict.

“With the commercial oil production in the Western Region, the coastal districts are facing some socio-economic challenges among stakeholders concerned”.

Mr. Bayor said there was the need for the platform in the region to manage certain critical developmental issues that may arise from the oil find.

The COPP is expected to promote collaboration between coastal community, institutions and local state organs for enhanced peace building to avoid the resource syndrome associated with the oil and gas industry.**