RISE-Ghana, a human rights advocacy organisation, has rolled out a new initiative aimed at promoting peace, inclusion, and access to public services across vulnerable border communities in Northern Ghana.
The initiative, titled “Bridging the Gap: Promoting Socio-economic Inclusion, Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding for Vulnerable Communities”, is part of a broader project led by the Centre for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD-Ghana) with funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF). It is being implemented in the Upper East, Upper West, and North East Regions.
In the Upper East Region, six districts—Bawku, Builsa North, Kassena-Nankana Municipalities, and Bongo, Bolgatanga East, and Nabdam Districts—have been selected as beneficiaries.
Tackling Exclusion and Conflict Risks
Speaking at a regional town hall meeting in Bolgatanga to unveil the project, Ms Jaw-Haratu Amadu, Head of Programmes at RISE-Ghana, said the project aims to strengthen social cohesion and build resilience among marginalised communities that are increasingly vulnerable to conflict and exclusion.
“Many communities in Northern Ghana face deep-rooted socio-economic challenges, worsened by refugee inflows from Burkina Faso, inter-ethnic tensions, and marginalisation,” Ms Amadu noted.
She highlighted that groups such as Fulbe pastoralists, refugees, and minority ethnic populations often experience discrimination and poor access to basic services like healthcare, education, and justice—factors that continue to erode trust and fuel instability.
Skills Training and Inclusive Governance
In addition to fostering community dialogues and participatory planning, the project will provide skills training and income-generating opportunities to empower local residents, particularly women and youth.
Ms Amadu explained that the initiative will run until 2027, using inclusive policy engagement and community-led planning to build lasting solutions.
“We are focused on ensuring that governance becomes more equitable and responsive to the needs of all citizens, especially those on the margins,” she added.
Stakeholder Commitment
The launch event brought together stakeholders from traditional leadership, local government, the Ghana Education Service, and the Ghana Health Service, all of whom expressed support for the project’s objectives.
They commended the approach and pledged to collaborate closely to reduce mistrust, enhance social inclusion, and prevent the spread of violent extremism.
“This is the kind of inclusive development we need to secure peace and prosperity across our communities,” said one participant from the Bolgatanga East District Assembly.
