The Universal Friendship Organisation (UFO) has raised concerns over Ghana’s declining position on the Global Peace Index (GPI), warning that urgent and sustained investment in peace is needed to reverse the trend.
The Organisation made the call ahead of the 2026 World Peace Day celebration on September 21, under the theme: “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
According to the UFO, Ghana’s peace ranking improved steadily between 2016 and 2021, moving from 44th globally and sixth in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 to 38th globally and second in Africa in 2021, with a GPI score of 1.715.
However, the Organisation said Ghana’s ranking had declined consistently since 2022.
It cited Ghana’s ranking as 40th globally and second in Africa in 2022, 51st globally and fourth in Africa in 2023, 55th globally and fourth in Africa in 2024, and 61st globally and seventh in Africa in 2025.
For 2026, Ghana is ranked 76th globally and 10th in Africa, with a GPI score of 1.943.
The Organisation said the latest position represents a 38-place decline globally over five years and places Ghana behind Mauritius, Botswana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Senegal in the African ranking.
The UFO, while commending successive governments for efforts to protect lives and maintain Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful country, said the downward trend should serve as a wake-up call to policymakers, political actors and citizens.
It identified economic pressures, including the high cost of living, youth unemployment and inequality, as some of the factors requiring attention.
The Organisation also pointed to chieftaincy disputes, communal conflicts, violence, discrimination and the exclusion of vulnerable groups as issues that could undermine social cohesion.
It further expressed concern about growing political polarisation, intolerance and mistrust, particularly as Ghana approaches another political season.
The UFO urged the Government and political parties to put national interests above partisan and personal considerations, cautioning against hate speech, vote-buying, political insults and divisive rhetoric.
“Ghana’s peace is bigger than any political party, candidate, or personal ambition,” the Organisation said, emphasising the need for political actors to promote issue-based campaigns and peaceful democratic engagement.
It called on the Government to increase investment in youth employment, social justice and citizen safety, while urging political parties to commit to decent and issue-based campaigns.
Traditional and religious leaders were also encouraged to promote dialogue, tolerance and inclusion, while citizens were urged to make peace and friendship part of their everyday interactions.
The Organisation stressed that peace requires deliberate investment, warning that the cost of conflict is far greater than the cost of preventing it. It therefore called on Ghanaians to work collectively to restore the country’s position among Africa’s most peaceful nations.
“Peace is not cheap, but it is cheaper than conflict. Let us all invest in it,” the Organisation stated.
