A Deputy Director at the National Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre, under Ghana’s Ministry of National Security, Daniel Bonsu has said that reported cases of security infractions in some parts of the sub-region and across Ghana’s immediate borders, pose as worrying situations, especially when nationals of affected countries move into the Upper East Region and other border regions, as their safe haven.
He however assured that Ghana is not under any pressure to act in ways that contravenes the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana, adding that, all of government and all of the citizenry have roles to play in the implementation of the framework.
Mr. Bonsu was speaking at the opening of a three-day review meeting in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, organized by the Ministry of National Security and funded by the governments of Germany and Australia through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Participants were drawn from the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies, the District Assemblies, Civil Society Organizations. There were representatives of other organizations that are working on projects to prevent violent extremism or have roles to play in public sensitization and community mobilization.
The National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana, has been in existence since 2019, and the 3-day engagement was to review this security document, as well as check what has been done so far by various stakeholders and what more needs to be done now, to maintain the peace and security in Ghana.
According to Mr. Daniel Bonsu, it is only natural that displaced persons in countries with security infractions will run to nearer communities to seek shelter, unfortunately, while this movement is on, some agents of terrorists group may join, hence the need for quick and continuous education for various stakeholders in communities, towns, district and regional levels to be vigilant and to take steps to prevent violent extremism in Ghana.
The Deputy Director at the National Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre, called on the participants and all others who have roles to play in the implementation of the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana, to be highly professional and patriotic in playing their roles.
The need for a review
The Australian High Commission in Ghana’s representative at the meeting, Candice Hooper, noted that since the released of the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana in 2019, there have been changes in the security situations along Ghana’s borders and some neighbouring countries, hence the need for the review of Ghana’s security framework to be able to adjust and match up to these changes.
According to Miss Candice Hooper, the early part of 2024, recorded some increase in terrorists’ attacks in some Sahelian states as well as some countries along the Gulf of Guinea, where the attackers deliberately targeted military personnel and civilians, and this should be a source of worry and a wake-up call for Ghana and other countries that are enjoying peace and stability in the sub-region.
She said it is against this background that the Australian government is supporting the review of the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana and encouraging its effective implementation, to protect the peace and stability in Ghana.
“It is expected that the review would lead to a robust framework that would better position Ghana to confront the security challenges in the country and also foster stronger community collaborations, since communities are most often the first to be attacked. She said.
Possible factors driving in violent extremism
One document that contributed significantly to the deliberations at the review meeting was the UNDP’s Journey to Extremism Report. The report highlights growing unemployment and poverty levels and worsening economic conditions as major factors among a list of factors driving in violent extremism.
Speaking in line with this revelation, the Head of Governance and Growth at the United Nations Development Programme, Dr. Edward Ampratwum noted that, having a functional democratic and a peaceful society, to a large extend is dependent on a fair and inclusive distribution of economic dividends of democracy.
He gave the assurance that the United Nations Development Programme is committed to its decision to support Ghana’s efforts at preventing and countering terrorism, with the needed capacity-building and partnerships as well as technical expertise, to address issues that could drive in violent extremism in any form.
He said: “… we (UNDP) will work closely with governments, Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders to promote inclusive development, foster dialogue and build resilience in communities across Ghana, as our contribution towards the prevention and response to violent extremism.”
The situation in the Upper East Region
The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, for his part noted that the region finds itself in a critical situation where displaced persons fleeing from danger, migrate through approved and unapproved routes to settle in nearer communities in Ghana.
He said: “… due to the region’s proximity to the Sahel, many of our communities have had to live with immigrants from Burkina-Faso and Togo. This is the situation the region finds itself and we need to put in place measures to build resilient communities and vigilant citizenry to contain the situation and also prevent a possible eruption of acts depicting violent extremism in these host communities in this region.”
A renowned Peace and Development Advocate and Practitioner, Reverend Father Clement Aapengnuo, who led some sessions of the review, noted that, the call for all of government and all of the citizenry towards the implementation of the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana, is the best call in recent time.
“We all have important roles to play in protecting and safeguarding the peace we are enjoying today. The religious groupings, community leaderships and groups, CSOs and NGOs, the government and all appointees, the media and others must contribute from our various corners to ensure a peaceful Ghana.
From Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga