By: Joyce Kantam Kolamong
The sixth edition of the Northern Ghana Security Dialogue, held in Tamale, brought together state and non-state actors to discuss peace and security challenges in the region. The dialogue, facilitated by the Star Ghana Foundation, aimed to promote collaboration and coordination among stakeholders. The event brought together Regional security committees, REGSEC, from the five regions of the North, national peace council, traditional and religious leaders and civil society organizations.
The dialogue identified several security challenges facing the region, including chieftaincy and land disputes, substance abuse, cross-border crimes, and the threat of violent extremism. Stakeholders resolved to promote dialogue and cooperation, empower youth, strengthen local peace structures, and support peace-building efforts.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, who is also the MP for Asawase, stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Northern Ghana. He emphasized the need for a collective approach to addressing security challenges and promoting development in the region.
“This commitment is reflected in our work towards retooling all security agencies in the country and this will include but not limited to sustained investment in capacity building, provision of logistics and resources to address conflict triggers and the development of policies that prioritize inclusive governance, community-driven solutions. He emphasized “
Government stands resolved in ensuring that every citizen regardless of region feels safe and empowered to contribute to our nation’s progress. Last month we had about 429 hotspots across our country, out of this, majority of them are in the south but interestingly there’s few conflict in the north. Whiles they take the pain to report to the police and make sure the matter goes to court and litigate in court, in our case, as fewer as our conflict, we resolve to solve it in the Builsa way. And that is one distinct thing we need to work on, not only ourselves but for our youth to appreciate that we have to allow the law take its course”. He stated
Executive Director of STAR Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, , emphasized the importance of the dialogue in promoting peace and security in Northern Ghana. He highlighted the foundation’s commitment to supporting government efforts in addressing security challenges.
“Peace, security is the necessary condition for development in the north, and so in addition to the development summit, have a specific forum for peace and security that would drive the push towards cordination of peace effort. A lot was being done on peace and security and they were done in silos by CSOs, donor projects and government agencies we tended to overlook at the bigger picture and so we thought that this forum would provide the basis”.
He further explained that, “We also felt that at the end of the day, government has the mandate for peace and security, all that non state actors do is to support and complement government efforts therefore we needed the forum that will enable this coordination”.
Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf, welcomed participants to the dialogue and emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing security challenges.
“Sustaining peace is an ongoing effort which demands not only commitment from our institutions but also inclusion, trust and active participation from our communities. It is therefore imperative that we continue to promote dialogue and cooperation and joint action among all relevant actors, traditional authorities, security agencies, CSOs, youth among others”
He commended Star Ghana Foundation for facilitating the dialogue and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the region.
“Let me commend Star Ghana Foundation and all partners who continue to support this intervention, your dedication has helped sustain peace building efforts and fostered dialogue at grassroots level and promoted understanding between communities. Let us reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring that Northern Ghana remains a zone of stability, opportunities and inclusive development”.
The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting peace and stability in Northern Ghana and a call for stakeholders to work together to address the region’s security challenges.
