Stakeholders in Ghana’s security sector have called for stronger collaboration between communities and security institutions to address security vulnerabilities and intensify efforts to prevent violent extremism.
The call was made at a national security dialogue organised by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with the National Security Council Secretariat and the National Peace Council.
The dialogue brought together representatives of government institutions, security agencies, civil society organisations, diplomatic missions, development partners, academia, and traditional and religious institutions to discuss strategies for preventing violent extremism.
The engagement forms part of the Prevention of Violent Extremism through Social Accountability Project, which seeks to strengthen cooperation between civilians and security actors as a key strategy for preventing extremist activities.
The dialogue comes amid growing security concerns across West Africa and the Sahel, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to safeguard Ghana’s peace and stability.
Delivering the opening remarks, the Country Representative of Catholic Relief Services, Dr. Abena Amedormey, emphasised the importance of collective action in protecting the country’s peace and security.
She disclosed that CRS and its partners had engaged more than 1,000 stakeholders across northern Ghana this year through the project.
The initiative has equipped community leaders, young people, civil society organisations and security personnel with practical tools to strengthen collaboration and build resilience against violent extremism.
In his keynote address, the National Security Coordinator, COP Osman Abdul-Razak, urged stakeholders to contribute to efforts to strengthen social cohesion and promote religious tolerance.
He said the government was pursuing collaboration with regional organisations, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States, to build the synergies needed to prevent violent extremism.
COP Abdul-Razak stressed that all stakeholders had a role to play in supporting these efforts and fostering peaceful coexistence.
The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, called on the government and industry leaders to adopt innovative approaches to youth employment to reduce young people’s vulnerability to extremist recruitment.
He emphasised the need to channel the potential of young people into productive opportunities, noting that employment and meaningful engagement could help address vulnerabilities that extremist groups might exploit.
The Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Hans Akerboom, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting locally led peacebuilding and prevention initiatives.
The stakeholders maintained that sustained cooperation among security agencies, communities, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and other partners remained critical to strengthening Ghana’s resilience against violent extremism.
Story by: Frank Lartey