EU-funded peacebuilding project charts new strategy to strengthen local conflict prevention in Ghana

Stakeholders under the European Union-funded "EU for a Secure Ghana - Objective 3" intervention led by Coginta have concluded a three-day strategic planning meeting aimed at strengthening local peacebuilding mechanisms and enhancing violence prevention efforts in vulnerable communities across the country.

This is a 7 million EUR project for three years as part of the EU for a Secure Ghana programme. The initiative seeks to establish sustainable local frameworks to address emerging security threats and improve conflict prevention systems.

The project brings together state institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organisations including women’s organisations, and representatives of forcibly displaced populations (FDPs) to promote inclusive and community-driven peacebuilding.

A key focus of the initiative is the validation of security hotspot areas through context-specific data collection and analysis. Participants also examined conflict dynamics affecting women and displaced populations while working toward the establishment of Local Peace Council (LPC) structures in selected hotspots.

The first day of the meeting focused on project orientation and risk assessment. Participants received detailed briefings on the project's objectives, operational scope, and linkages with existing peacebuilding interventions, including NORPREVSEC and PEACE PROTECT. Regional working groups were tasked with reviewing conflict indicators, validating hotspot lists, and identifying local vulnerabilities requiring intervention.

On the second day, representatives from various regions presented updated hotspot assessments and proposed locations for new Local Peace Councils. The session provided an opportunity for participants to review, validate, and refine findings through a collaborative process.

Discussions also centred on training schedules, implementation timelines, partner coordination, and compliance with financial, administrative, and visibility requirements.

The final day was dedicated to consolidating regional findings into a comprehensive National Workplan. Participants identified coordination challenges and implementation gaps while developing practical strategies to ensure a coherent and effective implementation of activities across the target regions.

Addressing participants during the closing ceremony, Rev. Fr. Clement Aapengnuo emphasized that effective peacebuilding requires the collective efforts of people from diverse backgrounds, institutions, and professions.

He encouraged participants to continue supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and strengthening collaboration beyond the meeting in order to build more peaceful and resilient communities.

Rev. Fr. Aapengnuo also assured stakeholders that Coginta Ghana would continue to create opportunities and innovative platforms that enable institutions and local actors to implement peacebuilding interventions at the community level.

He expressed appreciation to all participants for their active contributions and insightful engagements throughout the three-day workshop, noting that their commitment and expertise would play a critical role in the success of the project.

The meeting concluded with endorsements and commitments from local and international partners. Stakeholders expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen community resilience, promote social cohesion, and contribute to sustainable peace and security in Ghana's vulnerable regions.

The project is expected to deepen collaboration among key stakeholders while establishing stronger local mechanisms for preventing conflict and responding effectively to emerging security challenges.

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