Violent extremism has emerged as a significant threat over the years, with Africa noted as particularly vulnerable and serving as a hotspot for terrorist networks. Despite the continent’s efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism, actions to halt this discourse and its spread have proven insufficient.
This vulnerability is due to a myriad of factors, including poor governance, lack of state accountability, porous borders, and inadequate security forces. These factors create pathways for extremist ideologies to evolve and promote their operations on the continent. Ghana’s neighboring countries, such as Burkina Faso and Mali, have experienced sudden attacks from extremist groups.
Although Ghana has been known as a peaceful country and has not experienced any extremist attacks yet, the government is earnestly fighting to prevent such an invasion.
In February 2023, media reports indicated an influx of about 4,000 displaced persons from Burkina Faso into Ghana’s border regions due to jihadist attacks in their country. This has resulted in a perceived level of insecurity among the people in the northern border regions of Ghana, potentially serving as a threat to the nation’s peace.
The Ghana Immigration Service emphasizes that Ghana and her residents, particularly women, need to do all they can to help prevent terrorism and violent extremism from taking root within the country.
At a recent community engagement in Nakong, Assistant Immigration Control Officer II Joyce Avoti Imoro, from the Paga sector command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), highlighted the crucial role of women in the fight against violent extremism.
According to her, “Women suffer most in conflicts and must therefore be at the forefront in building peace within the community to avert any conflict that would destroy them and the future of their children.”
Mr. David Angaamba, Principal Programmes Manager of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, indicated that the fight against violent extremism is a collective responsibility requiring the effort of both civilians and security agencies.
Mr. Angaamba also underscored the need for residents to co-exist peacefully, adding that “the violent extremists capitalise on existing conflicts, and as a community, you must co-exist peacefully.”
He emphasized that youth are the primary targets of violent extremists due to their vulnerability, urging them to guard against being used to cause havoc to their own people.
Mr. Angaamba shared critical statistics, saying that “the data available indicates 60% of Northern Burkina Faso, which Ghana shares borders with is being controlled by the violent extremists who used violent means to achieve their objectives.” This, he said, results in the loss of innocent lives and the destruction of valuable properties. He stressed that residents, particularly along the border, must work with the security services to defeat these activities.
The community discussions have centered on the theme: “Building Trust between Security Agencies and Border Communities through Community Forums.” These engagements have primarily taken place in border communities across the region.
This initiative is part of the Atlantic Corridor Project, aimed at preventing and responding to violent extremism. It is funded by the governments of Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Australia through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). To date, more than 400 residents in several border towns within the region have participated in these engagements.
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHZ | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
