Trust and collaboration are key to preventing violent extremism – NPC Chairman

The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, has called for a united national effort involving security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, families and local communities to prevent violent extremism. He said sustainable peace and security could not be achieved through enforcement measures alone, stressing the need to address the social and economic conditions that make communities vulnerable to extremist influences. Speaking at the National Dialogue on Civil-Security Engagement in Preventing Violent Extremism in Accra last week, Most Rev. Fianu highlighted inclusive governance, job opportunities for young people, community trust and effective early warning systems as essential elements of prevention. He also underscored the importance of building stronger relationships between civilians and security personnel, noting that cooperation and confidence between the two groups could help communities identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate. The National Peace Council has been working with Catholic Relief Services (CRS Ghana), with support from the Government of the Netherlands since 2023, to promote trust and collaboration between communities and security actors. The dialogue was organised under the Prevention of Violent Extremism Through Social Accountability (PoVETSA) Project, implemented by CRS with funding from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Most Rev. Fianu also appealed to parties involved in the Bawku conflict and other disputes to pursue peaceful and democratic means of resolving their differences, emphasising that lasting peace requires commitment and collective responsibility from all sections of society.