According to Awal Mohammed, the Research Manager and Team Lead for the Governance & Social Accountability Practice at CDD-Ghana, it is crucial to establish robust communal governance systems and foster collaboration among local communities. This will help to safeguard Ghana from the spread of violent extremism and conflict from neighboring West African countries.
In an interview with A1 Radio, Mr. Mohammed expressed concern over the potential for social turmoil and political instability in the northern districts of Ghana. These issues are not limited to a single area but are prevalent throughout the surrounding regions, particularly those bordering conflict zones in the Sahel region. The towns located along Ghana’s northern corridor face added vulnerability due to their proximity to countries such as Burkina Faso, where extremist activities have been reported.
Mr. Mohammed inquired about the role of northern Ghana, which shares borders with nations plagued by extremism; “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?”
His speech aligned with an initiative launched by CDD-Ghana to enhance social cohesion and reinforce the social contract by empowering women and youth in three northern regions of Ghana.
The timely intervention, known as “Enhancing Social Cohesion and Social Contract, Through the Empowerment of Women and Youth in Three Northern Regions of Ghana,” is aimed at countering the increasing dangers of localized and spillover conflicts, as well as the heightened susceptibility to violent extremism in northern Ghana. It has been made possible by funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Mr. Mohammed explains that the CDD-Ghana initiative aims to empower women and youth in Ghana’s Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions. This project is dedicated to promoting social cohesion and strengthening the social contract.
“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 further explained.
