Accra, Aug. 30, GNA - Mr Martin Amidu, Minister of the Interior, on Monday said African countries are weary of numerous conflicts ravaging the continent.

"We are weary of Africa being tagged continent of theatre of violent conflicts and gross human rights violations.we have all realised the significant need for paradigm shift towards conflict prevention and transformation through the development of multi-pronged strategies to address the problem. It has now become more imperative to develop more effective and integrative approaches to promote peace and stability," he added.

Mr Amidu made the observation at the opening session of the West Africa Peacebuilding Institute (WAPI) and Development Diplomatic Programme (DDP) course in Accra.

WAPI and DDP are jointly organising the three-week intensive training programme designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society-based peacebuilding practitioners and institutions to promote the development of indigenous responses to conflict.

The Interior Minister whose speech was read on his behalf, called for an end to the two decades of conflicts which had led to many people losing their lives, while others had become refugees or displaced.

In spite of the challenges, Mr Amidu lauded effort of the international community, regional organisations and governments including civil society organisations, for intensification of strategies to deal with conflict in Africa.

Air Vice Marshall Christian E. K. Dovlo, Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), noted that the numerous conflicts on the continent had derailed attempts at national development, sustainable economic growth and destroyed the fabric of societies.

He identified two major issues facing the continent - Conflict Prevention and Good Governance which had to be resolved for Africa to advance towards development.

However, Air Vice Marshall Dovlo noted that as strategies were developed and adopted for transformation, "Africa is gradually transiting into an era of relative peace and more importantly adopting concerted efforts at conflict prevention and peacebuilding".

The detailed programme is six courses to be undertaken on two five-day intensive courses concurrently each week.

It is interactive and participatory, blending theory and practice in peacebuilding.

WAPI seeks to provide the space and platform to actualise the vision for the prevention and resolution of conflicts in Africa by Africans since its inception in 2002.

The institute has in addition, been the learning centre for networking and exchange of best practices in peacebuilding, facilitated dialogue and mediation.

Others are women and gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding; youth and peace education, early warning and response, human rights and conflict resolution, human security, development and peace.