CHAPTER 2 2.3 Assessment of the performance on the APRM objectives 14. There are nine objectives for this focus area of the review. Objective 1: Prevent and reduce intra- and inter-country conflicts Box 2.2 Ghana’s contributions to (sub)-regional and international peace-keeping Ghana’s role as a “peace-keeper” and “peace-maker” is well known. Its contribution and involvement in sub-regional, regional (continental) and international peace and security efforts are a credit to Ghanaians. Troops are sent for peace-keeping operations, most recently in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Peace summits are attended and hosted. Accra has been a venue for several important peace talks involving troubled neighbours, while the President has personally brokered many such peace efforts. Ghana has played an active role in the formation of ECOMOG, the Military Observer Group of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In these respects, Ghana’s example is commendable. i. Self-assessment Inter-country conflicts 15. Ghana is clearly a stable country in a neighbourhood that has been characterised by violent conflicts, insecurity and instability. In fact, the country is seen as an oasis in an otherwise volatile sub-region. 16. On the whole, Ghana's relationships with its neighbours have tended to fluctuate between friendship, suspicion and animosity, depending on the respective governments in power. Although relations with Burkina Faso and Togo have historically been marked by turbulence and mutual suspicion, Ghana has never engaged in war with its neighbours. The current administration of President John Kufuor has initiated a new policy of “good neighbourliness”, aimed at deliberately cultivating peaceful coexistence. This policy has resulted in increased official cross-border visits, the establishment of bilateral commissions to examine and resolve areas of potential conflict, and the sharing of intelligence information. 18