VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAR #1297 3421625
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081625Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8611

UNCLAS ACCRA 001297 
 
FOR S/GWI, AF/PD, AF/W, AF/FO 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KWMN KPAO GH
 
SUBJECT:  GHANA'S NOMINATION FOR THE 2010 SECRETARY'S AWARD FOR 
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE 
 
REF: STATE 00111471 
 
¶1.  Embassy Accra nominates Mrs. Janet Adama Mohammed for the 2010 
Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage.  Mrs. 
Mohammed's unwavering commitment and courage in promoting peace and 
inter-faith dialogue in the conflict-ridden Northern Region of Ghana 
has created an environment for change and hope for women and youth. 
Despite the difficulties faced by most women holding leadership 
positions in northern Ghana, Mrs. Mohammed has earned overwhelming 
recognition among Christians, Muslims and traditionalists for 
promoting inter-faith dialogue throughout the Northern Region.  A 
Christian, married to a Muslim, Mrs. Mohammed is highly respected by 
all sides to the conflicts. 
¶2.  Mrs. Mohammed's career began in 1987 as a teacher in Tamale, the 
capital of the Northern Region.  She went on to become the Gender 
Planner and Coordinator for the Northern Regional Integrated 
Development Programme.  This platform launched her onto the path she 
has followed since 1999, when she became the Development Training 
Coordinator for the Ecumenical Training and Consultancy Center, 
Christian Council of Ghana.  She soon became the Director of this 
faith-based institution (1999-2006), while still in the Northern 
Region.  Today she is the Director of the West Africa Human Rights 
and Democratization Project for Ibis West Africa. 
¶3.  Background:  There are several causes of conflict in Northern 
Ghana. One area of conflict involves the Dagbon ethnic group, which 
has one paramount ethnic chief and two royal houses which alternate 
inheriting the chieftaincy.  The conflict continues because both 
houses refuse to accept the accession to the chieftaincy of the 
other house.  In the town of Bawku, centuries-old resentments 
stemming from the slave trade and colonization that resulted in the 
supremacy of one ethnic group over another play out in violent 
confrontations today. Politicians take advantage of these conflicts, 
with opposing parties aligning with one or the other tribal 
factions. 
¶4.  Since she first became a development officer for Christian 
Council for Ghana, Mrs. Mohammed has been one of the primary 
negotiators and mediators of the two conflicts between the warring 
factions in Bawku and Dagbon.  She has conducted training programs 
and brought factions together, including tribal chiefs for training 
in negotiation.  She shuttles between Accra, Tamale and Bawku to 
keep negotiations flowing.  She provides training for group leaders, 
opinion leaders, women and children.  She started an organization 
called Women in Peace Building in the north.  She is one of the few 
people who can enter a town during armed conflict, assess the 
situation on the ground, and bring about a temporary cessation of 
violence.  She rallies emergency assistance in the areas of food and 
medicine and temporary shelter for displaced people. 
¶5.  Mrs. Mohammed merits this recognition because for 20 years she 
has persisted in her efforts to bring the factions to the table.  As 
an advocate of peace, reconciliation, and reconstruction, she is the 
inspiration for youth and women in the region to take action to stem 
the long-standing tribal conflicts.  Mrs. Mohammed's training 
programs are changing the social and political outlook of the 
Northern Region, especially of the youth.  Young people are 
beginning to disassociate themselves from the conflict. 
¶6.  Mrs. Mohammed is aware of the nomination and is willing to 
accept the award if chosen.  Embassy point of contact is CAO Ellen 
Irvine (IrvineE@state.gov). 
¶7.  Nominee details: 
Full legal name: Janet Adama Mohammed 
Job title/association: Director, West African Human Rights and 
Democratization Project for Ibis, West Africa 
Date of birth: October 29, 1959 
Country of birth: Ghana 
Citizenship: Ghana 
Address: Ibis West Africa, P.O. Box CT5061, Cantonments, Accra. 
Telephones:  233 244 207 287; 233 244 343 135 
E-mail: janetadama@gmail.com; janetadama@yahoo.com 
Passport number:H1988202 
Languages: English, Dagbani, Hausa, Twi 
 
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