During this project, I had the honor of meeting Sam Chaad Alusan and Moses Emerson, both of whom worked as peacekeepers for the United Nations while serving in the Ghana Army. In the following interviews, both men recount their experiences as peacekeepers and explore why Ghana has been successful in helping to restore peace in war-torn areas. They also discuss the challenges of conflict resolution and how forgiveness, compassion, and love are the best solutions for violence and retribution.

Sam Chaad Alusan was a member of the Ghana Army for 34 years and during that time served as a United Nations peacekeeper in Liberia and Lebanon. Our discussion on July 19, 2009 in Medie, Ghana touched upon many interesting topics, such as the important role played by black people, and particularly Ghanaians, as peacekeepers in the Middle East He also provided some insight into the 1983 bombing of American military barracks in Beirut. In our conversation, we also explored the conflict in Liberia and the challenges a country faces when trying to rebuild after civil war.

Moses Emerson served in the Ghana army from 1987-2000 during which time he worked with UN peacekeepers in Rwanda and Liberia. Moses witnessed many atrocities during this service, which led him upon retirement to establish a school for underprivileged children in Medie, Ghana. Many of the school's students are children of refugees from the conflict in Togo. Moses is an extraordinary human being with great compassion. Our discussion, which took place on July 21, 2009 in Medie, Ghana, explores issues of war, poverty, forgiveness, human nature and the difficulties of reaching peace and stability in war-torn areas. We also examine why Ghana has often served as a refuge for those escaping war and violence.