LINK Ghana, in collaboration with the Canadian High Commission through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, has launched the “Promoting Peaceful Elections through Youth-Led Action Project” in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region.
The project aims to promote peaceful elections and prevent violent extremism in communities along Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso, where tensions have been rising ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The project launch comes in response to increasing threats of violent extremism in West Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, which has suffered a series of devastating attacks in recent years. According to the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, extremist violence is spreading throughout the region, raising concerns about its potential impact on Ghana’s border communities.
These areas are considered vulnerable due to their proximity to Burkina Faso and the presence of underemployed youth who are at high risk of engaging in electoral violence or extremist activities.
The Upper East Region has a history of electoral violence, as highlighted by the West African Network for Peace (WANEP) in their 2020 election monitoring report. The Kassena-Nankana Municipality, especially the border communities of Manyoro, Gware, Wanjagnia, Dambisi, and Gomongo, faces heightened risks due to socio-economic challenges, including high youth unemployment and poverty.
According to data from the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly, 65% of the estimated 25,129 residents in these communities are underemployed, making them particularly vulnerable to involvement in political unrest or extremist activities.
In response, LINK Ghana organized an inception meeting with key stakeholders, including the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), traditional leaders, civil society organizations, youth leaders, and the media, to officially launch the project. The initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of youth and community structures to prevent violence and ensure peaceful elections in 2024. Planned activities include dialogue sessions with community chiefs, political and non-political youth leaders, community sensitization, and radio discussions.
In his keynote address, Kassena-Nankana Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Joseph Adongo, commended LINK Ghana for its continued support to the municipality. He highlighted the organization’s previous initiatives, including the introduction of aquaponics farming technology that has helped women and youth engage in fish and vegetable farming, boosting household incomes and improving nutrition.
Mr. Adongo pledged the full support of the Municipal Assembly and MUSEC to ensure the success of the project, emphasizing its importance in sustaining peace in the region ahead of the elections. “LINK Ghana is a strategic partner already working to improve livelihoods in our communities, and this peace initiative will further contribute to the development and stability of our area,” he stated.
The “Promoting Peaceful Elections through Youth-Led Action Project” is expected to play a critical role in mitigating the risks of electoral violence and extremist infiltration, ensuring that the Kassena-Nankana municipality remains peaceful during the 2024 elections.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatangaa
