Infrastructure for Peace: The African Experience

Abstract

The study investigated experiences of infrastructures for peace mainly in Kenya and Ghana. It also explored experiences in other parts of Africa, and proceeded to argue a case for their creation in other climes in Africa. Standing peace structures have potentials to help promote peaceful business clime and other conditions necessary for human and societal development. Over the years, unhealthy competitions for limited resources in man’s environment and election triggered violence among others have been consistently increasing threats to peace and security as well as various business- related economic activities in many communities in Africa. There are attempts by Government at various levels to curtail the alarming rate of threats to through governments’ security apparatus, yet threats to peace remains. This informed the need to explore alternative approach. As a cutting-edge approach for violent prevention, conflict intervention and transformation, infrastructure for peace has been found rewarding in addressing conflicts and violent menace. This paper focused on two main examples of infrastructure for peace, which are cabinet-level Ministry of Peace and National or Local Peace Committee/Council. The study adopted a descriptive style and proceeds to propose what the role of a ministry of peace might be in Nigeria.

Key words: Infrastructure, Peace, African, Experience