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Mobile app for conflict resolution in the offing
Mr Abraham Klutsey
Youth for Peace and Security-Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Ghana with footprints in other African countries, is developing a mobile application called YPS Family to facilitate conflict prevention and resolution in Africa.
When successfully piloted, the mobile app, according to the Executive Director, Mr. Abraham Korbla Klutsey, would effectively and inexpensively facilitate the prevention and resolution of violent and bloody conflicts and wars in Africa.
He said violent conflicts in many parts of Africa were retarding progress and developmental policies such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Silencing the Guns, and ultimately Agenda 2063. “It, therefore, behooves all and sundry to show concern and help find innovative and pragmatic ways to turn the fortunes of the continent around.
Speaking to The Spectator on the innovative ways to curb conflict and how the mobile app would facilitate conflict resolution, Mr. Klutsey said the mobile app which is still in development, would have a multilingual and user-friendly interface to support multiple local languages, making it accessible to a broader range of citizens across Africa, and would also be intuitive and user-friendly to cater for different levels of digital literacy.
Again, the mobile app would allow community members to report potential conflicts or tensions they observe in their localities. This, he said, could be done through text, images, or voice messages, providing real-time data to identify emerging conflicts.
Additionally, the app would be built to use data analytics in order to analyse patterns, trends, and early warning signs of potential conflicts. This would enable the organisations, authorities and relevant stakeholders to proactively address emerging issues before they escalate.
The app, according to Mr. Klutsey, would create a platform for community members, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to engage in online discussions and dialogues, explaining that “this will foster communication, build relationships, and enable the exchange of ideas and perspectives.”
The mobile app, which would be available for download on Playstore, IOS and other mobile application platforms, includes a mediation module to provide step-by-step guidance on conflict resolution.
Users can access resources, guidelines, and even virtual mediation sessions facilitated by trained mediators to address disputes.
While it offers practical tips and techniques for conflict prevention, such as effective communication, negotiation skills, and peaceful problem-solving strategies, users can access this information through interactive videos, quizzes, or animated guides, he said.
The app would provide legal information and resources, including relevant laws, regulations, and customary practices related to chieftaincy and land disputes, and also allow users to map and document land ownership, boundaries, and disputed areas. This can help in visualising and clarifying land-related issues, reducing ambiguity and potential conflicts.
By Portia Hutton-Mills
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Prof Alidu Seidu files nomination for Tamale Central seat
The newly elected parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Tamale Central, Prof Alidu Seidu, has submitted his nomination forms to the Electoral Commission.
As of 10:00 a.m. today, he was the only person who had filed to contest the seat.
Nomination of candidates will close at the end of the day.
Associate Professor and Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana Legon, Prof. Alidu Seidu won the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Tamale Central constituency with a landslide victory.
The elections, supervised by the party’s Elections and IT Directorate in the Northern Region, saw Prof. Seidu poll 840 votes out of the total valid ballots cast.
His closest contender, Lawyer Hanan Gundadow Abdul-Rahaman, secured 536 votes.
The other aspirants could not make significant gains, with Dr. Seidu Fiter obtaining 44 votes, Aliu Abdul-Hamid 23 votes, and the rest recording fewer than 10 votes each.
In all, 1,500 ballots were cast, with 6 ballots rejected and 7 spoilt ballots recorded.
The results were signed and declared by Dr. Arnold Mashud Abukari, NDC Northern Regional Director of Elections and IT.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) held parliamentary primaries in Tamale Central to choose a candidate for the upcoming by-election following the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Dr. Mohammed, who also served as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, tragically died in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District on August 6, 2025, alongside seven others.
His passing left the Tamale Central seat vacant, as required by Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the by-election for September 30, 2025. While the NDC moved quickly to open nominations and vet aspirants, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) announced it would not contest the seat, citing the need to respect the somber circumstances and promote national unity.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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Ghana to locally refine its gold starting October 2025 – Sammy Gyamfi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board, Sammy Gyamfi, has announced that plans are far advanced for the establishment of a state-owned gold refinery in the country.
Speaking at the 2025 Minerals and Mining Convention, Mr Gyamfi said the refinery will process locally mined gold into bullion instead of exporting it in its raw state.
According to him, it is unacceptable that Ghana, despite being a leading gold producer in Africa, continues to export raw gold known as dore.
He explained that the Gold Board, working with the Bank of Ghana and local refineries, will from October 2025 begin refining gold locally.
He also disclosed that an ultramodern assay laboratory will be built to ensure international standards in testing gold quality.
Mr Gyamfi noted that the refinery will be wholly state-owned and will help Ghana move away from raw mineral exports to value addition.
This, he said, will boost foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and position Ghana as a hub for gold refining and jewellery production in Africa.
The CEO stressed that the project forms part of government’s strategy to ensure the country benefits fully from its natural resources and to transform the mining sector into a driver of economic growth.
By: Jacob Aggrey
