Abidjan: Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), has called for strengthened regional cooperation to tackle insecurity and development challenges affecting border communities across the Gulf of Guinea. He emphasized the shared threats faced by countries along the northern corridor, including climate pressures, cross-border migration, limited economic opportunities, and rising insecurity linked to instability in the Sahel.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Ibrahim delivered this message at the Social Cohesion (SOCO) Regional Conference in C´te D'Ivoire, highlighting the critical connection between development and security. He pointed out that communities lacking access to services, livelihoods, and opportunities are more prone to conflict and instability. He emphasized that social cohesion is vital for both development and peace within borders.
The Minister referenced a recent tragic incident involving Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso, where tomato traders were caught in a terrorist attack, illustrating how insecurity in one country can affect the entire sub-region. He stressed the importance of collective responsibility and coordinated action among regional countries. Mr Ibrahim also voiced concerns about youth unemployment in border communities, warning that limited opportunities could lead to recruitment by extremist groups.
Mr Ibrahim discussed how climate change has exacerbated the situation, with declining rainfall and water resource pressures impacting livelihoods, particularly in Northern Ghana and the wider Sahel region. He highlighted the SOCO Project's impact, which has supported about 1.5 million people across 48 districts in six northern regions, improving access to schools, health facilities, water systems, and local markets.
As of January 2026, around 950 infrastructure subprojects have been completed, covering areas such as water and sanitation, energy access, connectivity, and climate adaptation. The project's Local Economic Development component has benefited over 46,000 individuals through 1,554 Common Interest Groups, with nearly 80 percent being women and youth involved in farming and income-generating activities.
Mr Ibrahim asserted that the experience from Ghana shows that development, employment opportunities for young people, and active participation of women in decision-making reduce tensions and enhance cooperation. He reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to collaborating with neighboring countries and development partners to promote social cohesion, strengthen resilience, and ensure peace across the Gulf of Guinea. He expressed hope that the regional conference would foster deeper collaboration and enable countries to share experiences to better address common challenges in border communities.