Awal Mohammed, Research Manager and Team Lead for the Governance & Social Accountability Practice at the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has emphasized the need for stronger communal governance systems and collaboration among local communities to prevent the spread of violent extremism and conflict from neighboring West African countries into Ghana.
Speaking to A1 Radio, Mr. Mohammed warned that social unrest and instability were not isolated challenges but pressing regional issues, especially for districts bordering conflict-prone areas in the Sahel region. He indicated that towns in Ghana’s northern corridor are particularly vulnerable, given their proximity to Burkina Faso and other countries experiencing extremist activities.
“Our international affairs are broader, and the regions in northern Ghana share borders with countries facing extremism. So, the question is: how do we make our communities a buffer against these threats?” Mr. Mohammed asked.
He was speaking in line with an initiative implemented by CDD-Ghana aimed at promoting social cohesion and strengthening the social contract through the empowerment of women and youth in three northern regions of Ghana.
The initiative, titled “Enhancing Social Cohesion and Social Contract, Through the Empowerment of Women and Youth in Three Northern Regions of Ghana”, is a timely intervention that addresses the growing risks of localized and spillover conflicts, as well as rising vulnerabilities to violent extremism in northern Ghana. It is funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
According to Mr. Mohammed, the CDD-Ghana initiative, which is focused on promoting social cohesion and enhancing the social contract, is aimed at empowering women and youth in Ghana’s three northern regions—Northern, Upper East, and Upper West.
“Our approach is to empower women and youth by improving their access to voice and participation in local governance processes. When communities are engaged, heard, and included in governance, they become more resilient to internal and external threats,” he added.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah
