This followed a training they received from the Upper East Regional Peace Council as part of the implementation of the Atlantic Corridor Project, aimed at addressing the drivers of radicalization that leads to violent extremism.

It also strengthened the capacity of communities to respond and resist such threats.

A two-day workshop in Navrongo, for opinion leaders drawn from various electoral areas, was taken through the concept of conflict, violent extremism and its impact on economic activities, radicalisation, early warning signs, and the Land Act (Act 1036), to scale up their capacity to combat extremist ideologies.

The training had funding support from the government of Norway through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Mr. John Teddy Kwolaga Addah, the Assembly member of the Nogsenia Electoral Area, said the training had equipped him to reflect on things that could mar the peace of his community if not addressed, and he was committed to leading sensitisation campaigns to get it addressed.

“This training has been so important to us; from this training I have seen things that are happening that I need to go back to the community to address. In the town now, there is the formation of ghettos and a lot of foreigners trooping in to engage in several commercial activities, including sex work, and so this training has opened my eyes to its associated dangers,” he said.

Madam Christina Pwayirane, a government appointee assembly member of the Kassena Nankana Municipality, said the inclusion of the Land Act (Act 1036) on the training was apt as over 70 per cent of conflicts in the municipality were land-related, and having been equipped, she was committed to spearheading campaigns for people to have their lands registered.

Mr. Joseph Adongo, the Kassena Nankana Municipal Chief Executive, commended the Upper East Regional Peace Council and its sponsors for building the capacity of the opinion leaders on the prevention of violent extremism.

“I must say that as an Assembly we are much concerned about the security of our municipality, and for the Upper East Regional Peace Council, with support from its partners, to have taken the lead in sensitising our assembly members and unit committees, it is very commendable, and I say thank you to the Council and its sponsors that have made this possible.”

Mr. Ali Anankpieng, the Upper Regional Secretary of the Peace Council, underscored the need for peace and urged the opinion leaders to help build resilience among their electorate to defeat the activities of violent extremism for sustainable development.

He thanked donor partners, including the governments of Denmark, Germany, and Australia, for their support for the implementation of the project.