Dr. Doliwura Zakaria, Managing Director of National Investment Bank (NIB) PLC and a traditional leader of the Kusawgu people, has pledged to intensify his fight against human trafficking following his recognition as a Peace Ambassador by the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP).
The honour, conferred during the COFP’s 2024/2025 Fellowship graduation in Abuja, Nigeria, not only acknowledged Dr. Zakaria’s commitment to peacebuilding but also spotlighted his grassroots advocacy work in Ghana’s northern regions.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Zakaria emphasized that the title carries a moral responsibility. “This is not a symbolic honour—it’s a call to action. I intend to use every platform I have to challenge human trafficking and modern-day slavery,” he said.
As part of his ongoing efforts, Dr. Zakaria organized a one-day workshop earlier this year in Tamale, bringing together religious leaders, civil society actors, and community representatives to address human trafficking and irregular migration. The event concluded with a unified communiqué, co-signed by Sheikh Abdul Mumin Dalhu, pledging collective action through education and advocacy.
The COFP Fellowship, which Dr. Zakaria completed, focused on interfaith dialogue, mediation, and conflict resolution—tools he says have reshaped his leadership approach. He credited the programme with deepening his understanding of how faith-based cooperation can be used to heal division and promote justice.
Dr. Zakaria’s dual role—as a corporate executive and a traditional ruler—positions him uniquely to champion systemic change both at policy and community levels. He reaffirmed his commitment to working with marginalized communities, particularly in Ghana’s north, to address the root causes of trafficking and vulnerability.
“This movement is about building bridges, not walls,” he noted. “Ghana needs more than slogans—we need leaders willing to act.”
As Ghana grapples with growing socio-economic inequality and regional disparities, Dr. Zakaria’s recognition adds momentum to a broader national conversation about proactive peacebuilding, interfaith unity, and the urgent need to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
