Bolgatanga: Forty young men and women from youth groups in the Bolgatanga Municipality and surrounding areas have completed a two-day capacity-building training aimed at equipping them with skills in conflict resolution and peacebuilding to help prevent violent extremism in their communities. The initiative is part of the second phase of the Prevention of Violent Extremism through Social Accountability (PoVETSA II) project, implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in collaboration with the National Peace Council (NPC) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), with funding from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Ghana News Agency, the PoVETSA II project, launched in October 2022, is active in five regions: Upper West, Upper East, North East, Northern, and Greater Accra. The project aims to enhance civilian-security relations and bolster community resilience against violent extremism. Ms Adelaide Yiriyelleh, Project Manager for CRS Ghana, highlighted at the opening ceremony in Bolgatanga that the workshop’s purpose was to empower the youth to serve as peace ambassadors within their communities. The training focused on conflict resolution, mediation, dialogue, and early warning response systems.
Ms Yiriyelleh expressed expectations that participants would emerge as peacebuilding agents in their homes and communities. CRS and its partners have established a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to track participants’ progress post-training, encouraging them to replicate the training in their communities for maximum impact. She mentioned that quarterly monitoring and field visits would be conducted to document successes, identify challenges, and provide support.
The session followed a previous one held in March 2025 in Tamale, which trained 40 women in preventing violent extremism and promoting community dialogue. Emphasizing inclusion, Ms Yiriyelleh noted the importance of involving diverse groups in peacebuilding efforts. Mr Ali Anankpieng, a Peacebuilding Expert and Trainer, underscored the critical role of youth engagement in preventing violent extremism. He highlighted that empowering young people to understand peace and conflict allows them to channel their energy positively and take leadership roles in peacebuilding.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joseph Darison Wusi, Deputy Upper East Regional Police Commander, praised the initiative for aligning with the Ghana Police Service’s goals to enhance trust and collaboration between civilians and security agencies. He noted that the Police Service welcomed partnerships with community groups through mechanisms like Neighbourhood Watch Committees to support law enforcement in preventing crime and insecurity.
Participants expressed appreciation for the training, recognizing its timeliness given the threat of terrorist activities in the Sahel region. Ms Darlington Anadem remarked that the training had empowered her to help prevent the infiltration of violent extremists into the country. Mr Nelson Apasnaba also expressed gratitude to CRS and its partners, calling for more training to empower youth to lead peace efforts in their communities.