The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has praised the Duamenefa Foundation for its decade-long dedication to grassroots peacebuilding, describing it as “a model for promoting sustainable peaceful coexistence rooted in culture, morality, and shared humanity.”

Reading a speech on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the Foundation’s annual grand durbar organized by Dr Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Volta Regional Member of the Council of State, Julius Debrah said the foundation’s blend of spirituality, civic education, and community engagement “shows that peacebuilding must come from within, rooted in the people, their values, and their shared humanity.”

He lauded the Duamenefa Foundation for bridging divides between neighbours, families, and traditional jurisdictions, and singled out Fafaa Radio—home of the Duamenefa programme—for its pioneering role in what scholars call “intervention journalism.”

According to him, Fafaa Radio has demonstrated that “media, when ingrained in cultural identity, can be an engine for unity rather than division.”

Debrah tied the Foundation’s work to the government’s own agenda of people-centred development, listing interventions in road rehabilitation, agricultural revitalization, youth apprenticeship, and education support across the Volta Region.

“These interventions and many others reflect a government that listens, responds, and acts in partnership with its people.

“They affirm the President’s belief that development must be people-centred, inclusive, and anchored in peace—and peace is exactly what the Duamenefa Foundation represents,” he added.

He also paid glowing tribute to Council of State Member Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, commending his “humble, people-centred, and visionary leadership” through initiatives that empower youth and promote reconciliation in Ketu North, Ketu South, Keta, and Anlo.

“Your deeds exemplify servant leadership—the kind of leadership our nation needs,” the Chief of Staff said.

Julius Debrah urged Ghanaians to draw inspiration from the Foundation’s example of community-driven transformation, emphasizing that peace and development must go hand in hand.

“Let us prove to the world that peace and development can flourish side by side, especially here in the Volta Region,” he concluded.

About the Duamenefa Foundation

The Duamenefa Foundation is a community-based peacebuilding and social intervention organization founded by Evangelist Emmanuel Ketaman Evortepe in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Its central mission is to promote peaceful coexistence, justice, and community harmony through a unique blend of spiritual, cultural, and civic engagement. The word “Duamenefa” comes from the Ewe language, meaning “Let peace reign.”

Over the past decade, the Foundation has become a trusted grassroots platform for conflict mediation and reconciliation, especially in communities where disputes often have spiritual or traditional dimensions. It works closely with local chiefs, youth groups, religious leaders, and community reporters to identify and help resolve conflicts before they escalate.

A key arm of the Foundation’s work is through Fafaa Radio’s Duamenefa programme, which practices what scholars describe as “intervention journalism”—media that doesn’t only report issues but actively helps to resolve them. Through radio broadcasts, sports events, and public durbars, the Foundation fosters dialogue, education, and unity among communities.

It also integrates sports and cultural activities as tools for youth development, discipline, and teamwork, reinforcing peace through shared community experiences.

In essence, the Duamenefa Foundation represents a grassroots model of peacebuilding rooted in local values, spirituality, and collective responsibility—showing how communities themselves can be the strongest agents of social transformation and national cohesion.