The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia launched the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) project to tackle conflict from the Sahel, reduce vulnerability to climate change, and strengthen local institutions, economic opportunities, and public trust.
The rationale behind the project, according to the Vice President, was a result of surging conflicts including terrorism, in the sub-regions which affect lives and the Ghanaian economy.
“It focuses mostly on border communities in regions where the citizenry, especially women and the youth, are exposed and are susceptible to the threat of terrorism from the Sahel region. The project focuses on dealing with issues relating to fragility, conflict, and violence”, he stated.
Dr. Bawumia said this when he launched the 5-year SOCO project in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region. The US$150 million credit facility project is from the World Bank International Development Association (IDA) and will be disbursed to 48 districts in Upper East, North East, Upper West, Northern, Savannah, and Oti regions.
The SOCO project, according to the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, is expected to help reduce poverty and improve the lives of residents in the region, particularly young vulnerable individuals.
When the Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Abubakar Insuah, spoke on A1 Radio’s peace building and conflict management forum recently, he explained that one of the ways to deal with the pockets of conflicts and the use of young people that are used to fuel the conflict is a proper implementation if the project.
“SOCO is meant to equip the youth, among other people, with skills to be able to stand on their own and establish their businesses. As we speak, all the structures for the implementation of the SOCO are in place. All 15 MDAs are benefiting from it. Although it was meant to support border districts with skills that would not allow them to be lured into conflicts, especially by the jihadists, in the wisdom of the government, it has decided that while we are a border region, all our 15 MDAs should benefit. We have classified them into clusters, and in each cluster, they are going to get projects. This time, the projects are not just about classroom blocks, roads, and all that. We want to equip the youth with skills that will make them productive and make conflicts unattractive to them. You should not be able to come and boss them around with a few cedis and give them a gun. No, we will give them skills that would enable them to also employ their colleagues so that this issue of conflict would not be attractive to them,” he said.
Background
A1 Radio, a subsidiary of Agreed Best Communication Limited, recently partnered with the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Office (NABOCADO) to organise a peace building and conflict management roundtable discussion in Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region. The aim of the event was to provide a platform for stakeholders to share their experiences and discuss strategies for mitigating the pockets of conflicts in the region.
During the roundtable discussion, the Chief Director of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Alhaji Abubakari Inusah, emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence in the region and called on all stakeholders to work towards achieving this goal. The Regional Director for the Upper East Regional Commission for Civic Education, Mawuli Agbenu, also highlighted the need for continuous education and sensitization of the public on the roles they can play in promoting peace and resolving conflicts.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including the Regional Chairman for the Peace Council, Alhaji Sumaila Issaka, and the Executive Secretary of the Peace Council, Ali Anankpieng. Theophilus Abolga, the representative from NABOCADO, also attended the discussion, along with traditional leaders such as the Paramount Chief of Sirigu, Naba Roland Akwara III, and the Chief of Kotintaabig, Naba Bilheesong Langwaht. IT Expert and CEO of Norgence, Albert Naa, also participated in the event.
The peace building and conflict management roundtable discussion was a collaborative effort between A1 Radio and NABOCADO, aimed at fostering peace and stability in the Upper East Region. The event was well-attended and received positive feedback from participants, who lauded the organisers for their efforts in promoting peaceful coexistence in the region.
The roundtable discussion was moderated by A1 Radio’s Mark Smith.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
