The University of Ghana, Legon, became the stage for a powerful conversation on peace and conflict resolution as Abraham Korbla Klutsey unveiled his much-anticipated book, “Peacebuilding at the Edge of Death.”

Held at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) auditorium, the launch attracted a distinguished audience of over 300 global diplomats, peace advocates, and scholars, all drawn by the profound insights offered by Klutsey's work.

Representatives from Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Turkey, alongside key Ghanaian institutions such as UNDP, UNFPA, CHRAJ, and EOCO, underscored the event’s international significance. Messages of support from Ghana’s political leadership, including H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo and H.E. John Dramani Mahama, added further weight to the occasion.

In his speech, Klutsey shared a deeply personal journey that shaped his commitment to peacebuilding. Growing up in Aflao, a border town near Togo, Klutsey witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by the 1991 Togo civil war, as refugees fleeing the conflict sought shelter in his hometown. Their stories of loss and survival became the spark that ignited his passion for preventing conflict and fostering peace.

Drawing from his own experiences, Klutsey urged the youth to embrace peacebuilding as a vital path to change, emphasizing the critical role of local engagement and dialogue in resolving conflicts. His innovative approach, which successfully mediated the Alavanyo-Nkonya conflict in Ghana by empowering youth to lead reconciliation efforts, serves as a blueprint for sustainable peace across Africa.

The launch of “Peacebuilding at the Edge of Death” is not just a literary achievement but a call to action. Klutsey’s work provides practical strategies for empowering communities and encouraging young people to take the lead in conflict resolution. As attendees left the event, many expressed hope that the book would inspire the next generation to champion peace, believing that even the most entrenched conflicts can be overcome with commitment, dialogue, and youth leadership.

Through this compelling work, Abraham Klutsey seeks to build a legacy of peace, urging society to focus on the power of local solutions and the transformative potential of youth in shaping a peaceful future.

The event’s prominence was underscored by the diverse presence of global stakeholders, including representatives from the embassies of Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Turkey, as well as delegations from neighbouring Togo.

Local participation was equally significant, with key Ghanaian institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) all represented. Political leaders from across Ghana, including messages from H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the Honorable Finance Minister, and senior government officials, lent their endorsement to the occasion. The intellectual community was also well-represented, with scholars from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and the University of Ghana’s political science and psychology departments in attendance.