Naaga: The National Peace Council has undertaken a significant initiative by training 27 members of newly established Local Peace Committees (LPCs) across three vulnerable communities. This effort is aimed at bolstering community-based strategies to prevent violent extremism and resolve conflicts effectively.
According to Ghana News Agency, the two-day training was conducted as part of the Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in the Atlantic Corridor Project. The training saw the participation of nine individuals each from Naaga in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality, Kansogo, and Binaba in the Bawku West District. This project, funded by the governments of Denmark and Norway, is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The training provided participants, comprising nine women and 18 men, with knowledge on a range of topics. These included understanding conflict, conflict analysis, conflict management, resolution mechanisms, and the drivers of violent extremism. Additionally, they explored extremist narratives and counter-narratives, and early warning and response systems.
Mr. Damien Asobayire, the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, emphasized that the training was a part of the project's third-quarter activities. He highlighted the importance of equipping communities identified as potential hotspots with the necessary skills to detect and respond to emerging security threats. Asobayire mentioned that the newly established committees were crucial as there were previously no similar peace structures at the district level.
Mr. David Angaamba, Principal Programme Manager at the Upper East Regional Peace Council, facilitated sessions on understanding conflict and preventing violent extremism. He urged LPC members to foster dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence while remaining vigilant against extremist activities.
Committee members expressed the practical relevance of the training. Mr. Jeremiah A. Apabum from Binaba highlighted ongoing security concerns, including sporadic gunfire and highway attacks, emphasizing the significance of dialogue and mediation. Ms. Sadia Ogoe from Binaba pledged to mobilize her community to educate them on conflict prevention and security improvement.
Mr. Denis Atule Mbah, Assembly Member for the Kansogo Electoral Area, noted the committee's role in enhancing vigilance in the border community with ties to Burkina Faso. He also pointed out land disputes as a concern, indicating plans to use community durbars for educating residents on peaceful coexistence.
Participants from Naaga, such as Mr. Charles Aniah and Ms. Achelisibanuro Atampugre, shared insights gained from the training. Aniah plans to engage his church community as peace advocates, while Atampugre aims to mediate land disputes and address drug abuse issues among the youth to prevent tension escalation.