National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu on November 28, 2020, named Clemence Gyato as Peace Ambassador.

Gyato, a Master’s Degree holder in Conflict, Peace and Security and currently a PhD student, is renowned among the country’s Zongo youth and lauded for his efforts in conflict resolution, notably in the protracted Alavanyo-Nkonya dispute as well as discord between Hohoe natives and Zongo youth.

Announcing Gyato’s appointment, Sheikh Sharubutu said his office had “monitored Mr Gyato’s involvement in peacebuilding efforts in various parts of the country,” for which reason he was selected.

In his new role, Gyato is expected to amplify and coordinate harmony among the country’s youth, particularly in the build up to the 2020 polls.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Gyato cited a life-changing interaction with a victim of the Somali war whose account led him to the understanding that “no one is safe within a community or society riddled with insecurity. And no one filled with conflict, despair, and anxiety rises to the zenith of any godly profession. So, I set out to do this one thing: be at peace with myself and with all.”

The maxim, Gyato said, had been pivotal to his vision. He observed that his appointment was testament to the fact that, his efforts were being keenly observed by leadership.

“This honour bestowed on me for my little, submarine operations within the peace space is something I will cherish considerably.

“Election-related violence has destroyed many African countries. Ghana has escaped this unfortunate conundrum and it is my expectation that the 2020 elections will be no different”.

“It is time we saw peace neither as a prelude to, nor an addendum to elections. It is an ever-constant pre-requisite for personal, familial, and national progress. Insofar as each person values their peace of mind, it then behoves us to value the peace of our brother, friend, relative, colleague, political opponents, and/ or even perceived enemies,” he said.

Mr Gyato pledged to continue his mission to be at peace with, all, “speak and act peacefully to all men.”

“I undertake to accept diversity as strength and use diversity to build a peaceful society. I undertake to do more towards building a peaceful Ghana,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye, who chaired Gyato’s investiture, Madina MP Hon. Abu-Bakar Saddique Boniface, as well as NDC aspiring Member of Parliament for Madina, Lawyer Francis-Xavier Sosu also pledged peace before and after election 2020.