By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Wa, (UW/R), Oct. 02, GNA – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has engaged stakeholders in the Upper West Region to strengthen trust and collaboration between security agencies and civilians in preventing violent extremism in the region and beyond.
The engagement, dubbed: “Strengthening Civilian Security Trust and Community Resilience in Preventing Violent Extremism Workshop,” was organised in partnership with the National Peace Council (NPC), with funding support from the Government of Spain.
The two-day workshop culminated in the development of a regional action plan and recommendations towards preventing violent extremism.
Addressing participants at the workshop in Wa, His Excellency Ángel Lossada Torres-Quevedo, Ambassador of Spain to Ghana, emphasised that security was a shared responsibility that required trust and cooperation among all sections of society.
He observed that building confidence and trust among communities, authorities and other stakeholders was essential to addressing major security threats rather than using force and other security mechanisms.
H. E. Lossada also stressed the need to ensure the involvement of women, persons with disabilities, and other minorities groups in efforts to strengthen national security.
In a speech on his behalf, Air Vice Marshal David Anetey Akrong, the Commandant of KAIPTC, observed that effective prevention of violent extremism depended on relationships and the trust between communities and security institutions.
“Prevention must begin much earlier … when communities are resilient enough to withstand extremist narratives … when young people have confidence in their institutions,” he said.
He added that women, traditional and religious leaders, and marginalised communities must also have meaningful opportunities to contribute to preventing violent extremism.
The Commandant said the broad range of stakeholders at the workshop was to demonstrate that preventing violent extremism required the collective efforts of state and non-state actors.
Mr Frank Wilson Bodza, Director in charge of Conflict Management and Resolution at the National Peace Council, observed the critical role of civilians in supporting security agencies to identify and respond to emerging threats within the communities.
He said the workshop formed part of programme interventions to be implemented in the Upper West, Savannah, North East and Upper East Regions, to strengthen community engagement and prevent violent extremism.
Mr Bodza stressed that sustaining Ghana’s preventive approach to violent extremism was critical to maintaining the peace and stability the country enjoyed.
DCOP Mr Francis Yiribaare, the Upper West Regional Police Commander, reiterated that trust was a vital instrument for effective law enforcement and the prevention of violent extremism.
He said trust was closely linked to accountability, fairness, respect for human rights, and the responsiveness of security agencies to the communities they served.
The Police Commander challenged security institutions to be proactive, fair, and accountable, including acknowledging mistakes and apologising when they went wrong.
Mr Yiribaare observed that stronger collaboration and cohesion among Ghana’s security agencies, local authorities, businesses, and other stakeholders would help strengthen the country’s resilience to violent extremism.
The workshop brought together over 40 participants drawn from security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), women and youth groups, persons with disabilities and the media, among others.
The discussions focused on regional security context and trust between communities and security institutions; civilian and security collaboration, communication, and accountability; and the roles of traditional authorities, religious leaders, women, and youth in peacebuilding, among others.
GNA
Edited by Bertha Badu-Agyei /Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Philip Tengzu, GNA
Reporter’s email: [email protected]