The Solution… For the past three years, QPNWA has pioneered a pilot programme at Rokel to test a
number of approaches to the issue of conflict prevention. These holistic approaches have sought to create an opportunity where the community can see a future for themselves through co-operation and through belief in a shared future. The pilot programme sought to encourage conflict prevention through:
number of approaches to the issue of conflict prevention. These holistic approaches have sought to create an opportunity where the community can see a future for themselves through co-operation and through belief in a shared future. The pilot programme sought to encourage conflict prevention through:The construction of a West African-based Centre for the Prevention of Violent Conflicts strategically located in Rokel Village, near Freetown – Sierra Leone will provide the necessary support centres for monitoring conflict-related indices, resolving conflicts, providing both physiological and psychological support to victims or the endangered (that is vulnerable group) and, last but not least, providing adequate training that transform the idle ones into resourcefulness.
Land Acquisition and Site Location
A 1.6 acre land has been procured at Rokel Village in Sierra Leone as the ideal site for the construction of the proposed centre.
Projected Project Completion Duration
It is estimated that when the estimated project cost is realised through donations, the construction of the centre will be completed and operable in three (3) years: commencing this April to April 2012.
· Increased knowledge of ways to resolve conflict;
· Facilitating positive interaction between victims and perpetrators of the ten years conflict;
· Promoting discussion and sharing experiences of dealing with conflict;
· Assisting victims and perpetrators to settle and meet their basic needs;
· Supporting economic development by cash injections through TWPs;
· Improving sustainable livelihoods options;
· Rebuilding social infrastructure;
· Enhancing social stability.
The 1.6 acre land at Rokel, situated at a village on the outskirts of Freetown with a population of 19000 inhabitants is strategic to the Freetown/Waterloo Highway. It is often argued that “until there is peace and security in Rokel, Freetown cannot be that safe". It could be noted that the community became popular when for several years it played host to one of Sierra Leone’s strategic and most dreaded security posts, the Rokel Checkpoint. The said checkpoint was heavily guarded by both police and military personnel who provided a round-the-clock security during the civil war. When the war was officially declared ended in 2002, the checkpoint was dissolved and since then, criminals have moved in, taking advantage of the situation to once more create mischief and using the village as an entry point to Freetown.
Choosing Rokel as the ideal location is strategically tantamount to tackling the agents of conflicts at the core.
