Kansogo: The National Peace Council (NPC) has strengthened the capacity of 60 women in Kansogo in the Bawku West District to identify, challenge, and counter violent extremist narratives as part of efforts to prevent the infiltration of their activities in vulnerable communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the two-day engagement targeted women, particularly young social media users, and was part of the 'Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in the Atlantic Corridor' project. This initiative is funded by the Governments of Denmark and Norway through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The engagement aimed to equip the women with skills to support the dissemination of alternative and counter-narrative messages while leveraging their roles as peace agents and trusted messengers within their communities.
Mr. Damien Asobayire, the Upper East Regional Executive Secretary of the NPC, emphasized the crucial role women play in preventing violent extremism due to their influence within families and communities. He highlighted the necessity of providing targeted training for women, especially young women active on social media, to enable them to recognize the narratives used by extremists to radicalize and recruit unsuspecting individuals. "We have noticed that women play a critical role when it comes to assisting or helping to prevent violent extremism, and equipping them with the necessary knowledge is what would enable them to respond appropriately to harmful narratives and promote peaceful messages within their communities," Mr. Asobayire stated.
Mr. David Atualing Angaamba, the Upper East Regional Principal Programme Manager at the NPC, who facilitated a session on conflict analysis and alternative counter-narratives, acknowledged the unique experiences and insights women bring to peacebuilding. He stressed that women, as central caretakers of families in many cultures, can leverage their positions to identify and counter violent and harmful narratives before they gain influence in communities. "Women and men have different experiences of violence and peace, and they must be allowed and encouraged to bring in their unique insights and gifts to the process of peacebuilding," he stated.
Participants expressed appreciation to the NPC, UNDP, and the Governments of Denmark and Norway for equipping them with practical knowledge to help safeguard their communities. Ms. Gloria Ndeogo, a participant, expressed her newfound understanding of how extremist groups could use social media to influence and recruit young people. "We have learnt how to identify dangerous messages and respond to them without spreading the same narratives we are trying to prevent," she said.
Another participant, Ms. Martha Abugri, noted the training's emphasis on women's important voice in promoting peace and preventing violent extremism. "This training has shown us that women have a voice and a responsibility in protecting our communities," she stated, emphasizing their preparedness to speak against violent narratives and promote unity.