Justice Professor Henrietta J.A.N. Mensa-Bonsu, a Supreme Court judge, emphasized the importance of utilizing locally produced research for sustainable peacebuilding in Africa at a conference organized by the Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA). The event, held at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy on November 27, 2023, focused on the theme “Sustainable Regional Peacebuilding in Africa: Practices and Disconnects.”
MIASA, under the University of Ghana’s College of Humanities, fosters German-African collaboration in the social sciences and humanities. Its research agenda covers democratic governance, peace and conflict, and sustainable transformations, aiming to elevate African perspectives in global academic discourse.
According to a report by the Daily Graphic, Prof. Mensa-Bonsu criticized the common practice of applying foreign research findings to African contexts, noting that the unique dynamics of African societies require context-specific solutions. She advocated for adaptive peacebuilding informed by local research, which is more likely to yield effective results given the understanding of the region’s social and political landscape.
The conference brought together various stakeholders to discuss peacebuilding initiatives across Africa. Prof. Mensa-Bonsu highlighted the symbiotic relationship between peace and development, underscoring the need for continuous efforts in peacebuilding for sustainable growth in the region. She pointed out challenges like funding shortages, climate change, and skill deficits in peacebuilding efforts, urging political actors, civil society, the diaspora, religious, and traditional authorities, along with the international community, to contribute to these initiatives.
Dr. Grace Diabah and Dr. Susann Baller, MIASA directors from Ghana and Germany, respectively, stressed the institute’s commitment to promoting African intellectual exchange and breaking boundaries across disciplines and continents. The conference aims to discuss research findings and emerging issues in peacebuilding, contributing to MIASA’s goals of making African thinking globally relevant.
