Violent extremism is one of the most pressing security threats in the Sahel. This region has seen a surge in religious violence, characterized by diverse, locally based actors and context-specific challenges.
Militant groups in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania have employed asymmetric tactics and integrated into local communities, exploiting grievances and intercommunal tensions to recruit members and fuel antigovernment sentiments.
In response to these complex challenges, the government and other non-state actors have begun implementing programs and policies aimed at building trust with local communities while enhancing their defense capabilities to maintain a strong security presence in contested areas.
One such initiative involves training individuals who participate in cross-border trade.
Two hundred and forty individuals in Fumbisi, Navrongo, Paga, and Zebilla have been trained to identify the activities of violent extremists and jihadists within their local communities and across Ghana’s borders, where they conduct part of their business.
The training has become critical in strengthening Ghana’s defense and supporting government activities.
Ali Anankpieng, Executive Director of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, spoke to the media on the sidelines of an engagement in Navrongo, stating, “We need to take action for prevention.”
The essence of training the cross-border traders is “so that if they are able to detect unusual behavior in the course of their work, they should report it to the security agencies or duty bearers to take action to prevent any incidents that could jeopardize the security of the community,” Mr. Anankpieng said.
The trained cross-border traders included grain traders, vegetable traders, meat and fish traders, hairdressers, and other identified individuals.
The training, titled “Training in Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) for Market Women and Youth Involved in Cross-Border Trade,” selected traders in Fumbisi and Navrongo due to the size of the markets and the diverse groups of people who trade there. Zebilla and Paga cross-border traders were included because of the proximity of the markets and communities to the border.
This initiative was organized by the Upper East Regional Peace Council with funding from the governments of Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Australia through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
