Locations
A participant sharing her perspective during the capacity-building training on community-led peace and resilience.
"We never realized how easily conflict could spread in our communities until now. Unemployment, misinformation, and peer pressure make us vulnerable, but we also have the power to stop it. What we need is education, vigilance, and opportunities to build a better future." — Alhassan Dasmani, Youth Leader, Tempane.
In the border regions of Savannah and Upper East, the growing threat of violent extremism and community conflicts has left many young people vulnerable. Unemployment, misinformation, and deep-seated disputes make it easy for extremist narratives to take root. To counter this, the United Nations Development Programme in Ghana, in collaboration with regional peace councils, has organized a capacity-building training in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Tempane, equipping youth and women with tools to resist radicalization and build peace from within their communities.
"Empowering women and youth as peace agents is not just about inclusion—it’s about resilience. In communities like Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Tempane, their voices are critical in identifying early signs of conflict and building sustainable peace from the ground up," said Melody Azinim, Peace & Governance Analyst at UNDP Ghana. "Through this training, we are strengthening local capacities to resist violent extremist narratives and fostering a culture of proactive, community-led solutions."
Melody Azinim of UNDP Ghana emphasizing the critical role of women and youth in preventing violent extremism during a community-led peacebuilding workshop.
Throughout the training, participants explored early warning and early response (EWER) systems, conflict resolution strategies, and the dangers of violent extremism. Discussions highlighted key risk factors, including drug abuse, economic hardship, and social media influence, while also identifying practical solutions such as community sensitization, economic empowerment, and collaboration with security forces.
For Anne Anaba, a teacher in Tempane, the workshop was an eye-opener. "Before this training, I never saw myself as a peace agent. Now, I am committed to revitalizing my school's peace club and educating my students on conflict prevention," she said.
Similarly, Maria Yakubu, a participant from a border community, saw the training as a unifying force. "Bringing different tribes together for this training shows that our common enemy is conflict and violent extremism. We must work collectively to ensure peace in our communities," she emphasized.
To amplify the impact, the initiative extended beyond the training sessions to reach a wider audience through radio sensitization programs on radio stations in the Upper East Region. These discussions engaged local voices, fostering dialogue on peace, resilience, and community empowerment.
"By engaging women and youth as trusted messengers, we're not just spreading awareness—we're building resilience from the ground up to protect Northern Ghana from rising threats," Chiismah Nuotaa, a trader from Saru shared during the live broadcast.
The Preventive Approach to Protecting Development in the Gulf of Guinea (Prevention Facility) project, UNDP, with support from Denmark, Luxembourg, and the Republic of Korea, has provided a crucial platform for youth and women to take charge of their communities' peace and security. By fostering community-led solutions and amplifying the voices of local peace agents, this initiative strengthens resilience against violent extremism and promotes sustainable peace in Northern Ghana.
Chiismah Nuotaa, a trader from Saru, making her submission during the live radio broadcast.
Group photo of participants at the capacity-building training on community resilience in Sawla.
