By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, Oct. 28, GNA – Commissioner of Police (COP) Osman Abdul-Rahman, National Security Coordinator, has called for collaboration and cooperation from stakeholders and citizens to help deal with the threat of violent extremism and terrorism in Ghana and beyond.
He said stakeholders must promote social cohesion, religious tolerance, inter-faith dialogue and community-based peacekeeping strategies while the government and security agencies continued to work with international and regional organisations to counter extemists.
He was speaking at a National Dialogue on Civil-Security Engagement in Preventing Violent Extremism, convened by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with the National Security Council Secretariat, National Peace Council and with funding from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The forum brought together about 60 participants from government institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions, development partners, academia, and traditional and religious institutions to deliberate and strengthen preventive efforts.
COP Abdul-Rahman said violent extremism continued to evolve with extremists capitalising on vulnerabilities including socio-economic challenges, marginalisation, human rights violations, poor governance and unresolved conflicts.
He emphasised proactive mechanisms by security agencies, state and non-state actors to strengthen early warning systems and preserve national peace and stability.
“A resilient Ghana is one that rise above the challenge that the threat of violent extremism poses… One whose institutions can withstand the impact of shocks and stresses, and be able to quickly return to stability…and one that is able to mobilise its material and human resources to fight terrorism and violent extremism so that our people can enjoy their daily activities in peace,” he noted.
COP Abdul-Rahman said the National Counter-Terrorism Fusion Centre continued to engage stakeholders on radicalisation and violent extremism, focusing on citizens in border towns and communities.
He added that the national framework for preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism was being reviewed while security agencies promoted dialogue and awareness creation to develop early warning systems in communities.
“Ghana vibrant democracy is our greatest asset and our strongest shield against extremism but democracy does not defend itself, peace is never self-sustaining… it must be guarded, nurtured, and renewed everyday,” he said.
The security expert pledged support for civil society initiatives and expressed confidence that dialogue would support coordinated and timely approach to the threat of violent extremism.
Most Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Chairman, National Peace Council, noted that inclusion and social cohesion should be the primary strategy for preventing violent extremism while stakeholders strengthened existing partnerships.
He emphasised collaboration with youth leaders, religious figures, and professionals to help develop strong narratives that challenged extremist ideologies.
“…By shifting the focus towards good governance, civil rights and immigrant integration these strategic alliances build resilient environments where extremist propaganda cannot take root,” he said.
Most Rev Fianu urged the government and industry leaders to adopt creative approaches to job creation to make the youth more productive and enable them resist temptation from extremist groups.
He emphasised mutual trust between civilian and security agencies, adding that communal grievances exploited by radical groups should be addressed while empowering law enforcement agencies, civil society and community partners to identify and provide support for vulnerable individuals who could be radicalised.
Mr Hans Akerboom, Ambassador of the Netherlands reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting locally led peacebuilding and prevention efforts.
“Lasting peace must be built locally; the people who face these challenges everyday must also be part of finding the solutions,” he said, and urged participants to agree on practical steps to preventing violent extremism.
Madam Abena Amedomey, Country Representative, Catholic Relief Services, Ghana emphasised collective action in safeguarding Ghana’s peace.
She said CRS and its partners had engaged over 1,000 stakeholders across Northern Ghana, equipping community leaders, youth, civil society organisations, and security personnel with practical tools to strengthen collaboration and resilience against violent extremism through the Prevention of Violent Extremism through Social Accountability (PoVETSA II) Project.
Recommendations from the dialogue are expected to inform policy, programming and practice at both national and local levels, with a focus on stronger collaboration, early action and community participation in preventing violent extremism.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian and development agency of the Catholic community in the United States, serving people in need in more than 100 countries.
In collaboration with the Government of Ghana, the Catholic Church, civil society, and private-sector partners, CRS implements programmes that strengthen health systems, improve water and sanitation, support agriculture, promote justice and peacebuilding, and enhance community resilience.
GNA
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