A Ghanaian based NGO, Coalition for Development of Northern Ghana (NORTHCODE-Ghana) has launched it’s new project on the implementation of a project in the Strengthening of Grassroot Capacities for Peace building at Sawla in the Salwa – Tuna – Kalba District of the savannah region on Tuesday 11th October, 2022 targeted at Preventing Violent Extremism under the auspices of COGINTA with funding from the European union.
The project Coordinator at NORTHCODE-Ghana, Mr Cletus Zume in an address said, violent extremism in our neighboring countries like Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Togo is becoming rampant hence the need for the implementation of the project in that area.
He added that, a lot has been heard in the past one to two years on the activities of violent extremism, a situation which some people have elected to destroy the world by doing mass killings of people in communities and villages without any reason
Mr. Zume explained that, the activities of such people who usually just feel like destroying humanity including the killing of women, children and men for no reason in neighboring Burkina faso can not be attached to a particular religion but an indication that the devil is now with us in our societies.
Mr. Cletus cautioned people leaving closer to the border towns to be very vigilant in their activities and report any suspected person in their communities to the security personnels and also pleaded to the security to beef up their men in the border areas.
The operations manager for the project, Mr. Dokuugu Andrew Yahaya outlined the objectives of the project saying it is to
- improve the knowledge and understanding of all segments of their communities of the underlying causal factors, triggers, drivers and effects of violent conflict through awareness creation.
- Strengthen the capacities of their target communities to enable them carry out contextual analyses of vulnerabilities in their environments, including identifying the early warning signs for potential conflicts and violent extremism.
- To Develop effective local structures through the establishment of Community Peace Cells (CPCs) and enabling mechanisms for timely and effective response to emerging threats of Violent Extremism and
- To create a network of local actors and institutional collaborators for a seamless and timely flow of information on any early warning signs of conflict and extremist tendencies to ensure timely reporting for the intervention by the competent bodies and institutions whenever faced with threats of conflict and/or violent extremism.
He also disclosed that, the project will be implemented in partner communities such as, Gbalyiri, Jinpreyiri, Talgalayiri, Kulbi, Wula, and Kalba.
The Grants Manager for Savannah Region at COGNITA – Ghana, Mr. Fatao on behalf of it’s team leader for Coginta, Rev. Dr. Clement Aapengnuo in a speech said the project lunch is in line with government’s vision to promoting sustainable peace and development in the northern parts of Ghana explaining that, the program is aligned with several initiatives including the national peace architecture and the national framework for the prevention and countering of violent extremism and terrorism in Ghana.
He further added that, the programs framework forms the backbone of the national security strategy and forms the basis for the production of detailed and comprehensive national, institutional, regional, district and community action plans for the coordination of activities for the prevention and countering of violent extremism and terrorism in Ghana
The Project is supported by Coginta with funding from the European Union (EU) and was Launched by a representative of the Hon. DCE, Mr Anafu Timothy.
It was attended by the security services including the Police, Immigration, customs, CHRAJ, NCCE, Traditional Rulers, peace Council, csos, the media, NIB, Women leaders, youth groups, tip STK District Assembly officers.
COALITION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NORTHERN GHANA (NORTHCODE-GHANA) is a Ghanaian non-governmental organization to facilitate improved environment, lives and livelihoods for the vulnerable, disadvantage and excluded in Northern Ghana.
Northcode – Ghana places special focus on working alongside poor women, children and local communities and if equipped with the proper resources, they will have the power to help large society to escape poverty and disease.
The extremely vulnerable with least economic and social opportunities are at the heart of Northcode- Ghana’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of disease, promote gender equity, increase access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation, promote biodiversity Conservation and livelihoods reinforcement, Agric and food security, expand economic opportunities and protect natural resources.
Padfm.com.gh/ Edwin Gogu
