Communities safeguard peace in neighbouring towns

Across the West African sub-region, Ghana has reputation as an oasis of peace. The 2021 Global Peace Index ranked Ghana as the second most peaceful country in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to a UNDP policy brief on Peace and Development Analysis in Ghana, this atmosphere of peace has emerged and persisted, despite the history of sub-regional instability. This is due mainly to concerted efforts by State institutions and key stakeholders to strengthen the country’s resilience to shocks and vulnerabilities while promoting inter-party, inter-religious, inter-ethnic and intergenerational social cohesion.

This notwithstanding, border communities still grapple with various challenges, including limited access to social amenities such as primary health care and potable water, and high levels of unemployment, among others. Such conditions increase the vulnerabilities of border communities, making them susceptible to radicalization and the activities of violent extremist organizations. Securing such border communities involves programming to combat violent extremism and includes carrying out socio-economic projects. It is vital to provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and potable water. Equally important is the need to establish community dialogue platforms to promote trust building, and to build capacity in conflict resolution and early-warning mechanisms.

The UN in Ghana supported various initiatives to strengthen the capacities of peace actors and communities for peacebuilding. These training courses are essential as they equip participants with the knowledge and skills to be proactive and responsive to emerging threats.

Ms Wilhelmina Sakle Aklaku, a hotel manager in the Northern Region of Ghana, revealed how the knowledge she acquired from such courses has made her more vigilant in her hotel.

“The training has been an eye opener, especially on the early warning signs we need to look out for and report. Since then, I have been more vigilant in my hotel,” she noted.

As the fight against violent extremism continues to gain momentum, building a broader coalition of actors at all levels, especially in border communities remains the best approach.

“Through the training, I got to understand the various strategies used by extremists to radicalize and infiltrate society. As a young person, I have been vigilant and will report any suspicious activity I see to the authorities,” stated Mr Romeo Amuzu, a member of the Volta Region Barbers Association.

The courses have equipped over 2, 000 men and women, including the youth, with the relevant skills to identify early-warning signs and report to the security agencies for immediate action.

To support access to asylum and promote better handling of refugees, the UN also supported Ghana in developing and updating its immigration training curriculum. Ensuring that security systems are on high alert to prevent their infiltration by unsafe elements is important and life-saving. Nevertheless, it is premised on human rights to ensure that genuine asylum seekers are not expelled or turned away at the borders. Officers from the Ghana Police Service, National Intelligence Bureau and Ghana Immigration Service also received training. As such, frontline officers have adequate knowledge on refugee concepts and procedures, and are prepared for the possible influx from neighbouring countries.