By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Sirigu (U/E), June 16, GNA – The Sirigu Women’s Organisation for Pottery and Arts (SWOPA), a non-governmental organisation, has begun a project aimed at building the capacity of women to lead peacebuilding efforts in their communities.
Through the support of STAR Ghana Foundation, the three-month project is funded with a US$2,000.00 grant from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) under its Carol Bellamy Leaders Award.
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of women and other vulnerable groups to play crucial roles in maintaining peace, resolving conflicts, and countering the threats of violent extremism from the Sahelian region.
Within the three-month period, the project will organise peacebuilding training at different levels within the communities to equip women to serve as peace agents and ambassadors in their respective communities, thereby enhancing social cohesion.
Additionally, the project will provide alternative livelihood training in areas such as soap and pastry making to economically empower the women, reduce poverty, and strengthen their resilience against the temptations and false promises of violent extremists.
The project, the first of its kind in Ghana, is benefiting women from Sirigu, Kandiga, Doba, and the Fulbe community in Navrongo and Paga, all in the Kassena-Nankana area.
Speaking during a training session for representatives of the beneficiary communities in Sirigu, Mr Frederick Nuuri-Teg, Northern Ghana Projects Manager at STAR Ghana Foundation, explained that the project aimed to build community resilience and inclusiveness for conflict prevent and countering violent extremism.
He noted that women were natural peace brokers within communities but were often overlooked and added that the project sought to harness their potential to enhance social cohesion and prevent the infiltration of violent extremism.
“Upper East Region shares a border with Burkina Faso, and we are aware of the threats in the Sahel region. We believe that through this training, the women will build resilience against the drivers of violent extremism,” he said.
Madam Bridget Adongo Akasise, Manager of SWOPA, said the project was inclusive, bringing together women from different communities, including minority groups such as the Fulbe and refugees, to build peace and resilience for sustainable development.
She noted that SWOPA had worked with women over the years and recorded significant success in peacebuilding, stressing that the current project would further strengthen that resolve.
She added that Ghana was at risk of violent extremist activities in neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, and that women could play a critical role in addressing localised conflicts that could otherwise be exploited by extremists.
Mr Ali Anankpieng, Upper East Regional Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, who trained the women on radicalisation and the operations of violent extremists, urged them to play a key role in countering the false narratives of extremists.
He noted that when women and other minority groups were empowered and given the opportunity, they could play significant roles in maintaining peace and promoting social cohesion in their communities.
Madam Martha Akawegre, a participant from the Kandiga community, praised the project and added that it empowered them to promote peace in their area and pledged to replicate the training in her community.
Ms Ashetu Adama, a member of the Fulbe community in Paga, expressed gratitude for the inclusion of her community, saying the training will foster peaceful coexistence between the Fulbe and the indigenes.
GNA
Edited by Fatima Anafu-Astanga/Christian Akorlie