The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with The Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) with funding from the Government of Japan, has launched a project aimed at strengthening capacities for promoting efficiency in the implementation of the Accra Initiative which is a joint project.

The project dubbed “Support to strengthen capacities for promoting efficiency in the implementation of the Accra initiative in West Africa and the Sahel”, is a collaborative effort aimed at supporting the effective implementation of the Accra Initiative across the Sahel and West African regions to counter the rise in violent extremism and terrorism.

The Accra Initiative, founded in September 2017, initially comprised five members: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo. Later, Mali and Niger joined the initiative, while Nigeria obtained observer status. The initiative aims to prevent the spillover of terrorism from the Sahel and to address transnational organized crime and violent extremism in member countries’ border areas.

Highlighting the importance of the project, H.E. MR. MOCHIZUKI  Hisanobu, Japanese Ambassador in Ghana said, “The increasing activities of extremist groups and the spillover have serious consequences on regional stability and global security as well. Japan recognizes the urgency of the situation in the Sahel and in response to the deteriorating situation we will continue to work with the government of Ghana and partners to strengthen efforts to combat Violent Extremism”.

At the launch, Angela Lusigi, UNDP's Resident Representative in Ghana, called for sustained collaboration to efficiently address violent extremism.

“We know that the Sahel has become the epicenter of global terrorism, as highlighted by the 2024 Global Terrorism Index. Up to 47% of global deaths from terrorism have occurred in the Sahel region. UNDP is therefore proud to be part of this project that will foster collaborative effort aimed at supporting the effective implementation of the Accra Initiative to confront the multifaceted threats to peace and security in the Sahel and West Africa”, she noted.

Hon. Kan Dapaah, Minister of National Security, noted that “The government of Ghana remains committed to working with key partners to ensure we counter violent extremism. Through this project, we can enhance transnational commitment and work collaboratively to combat this menace and make our nations safer”.

Commenting on the importance of the project, the Director of Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute at KAIPTC, Mrs. Patience Agyare-Kwabi, noted, "The increasing nature of violent extremism groups presents an imminent threat to peace and security in the region. In the face of threat of violent extremism, collaborating with all stakeholders is our best way of preventing violent extremism and fostering peace within our subregion”.

This project will enhance capacities of member countries to efficiently implement the Accra Initiative and enhance efforts at combating violent extremism, prevent terrorism spillover and transnational organized crime in Sahel and West Africa.