Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Catholic Relief Services, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), and the Ministry of National Security have launched the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) National Forum to foster social cohesion, security, and peaceful elections in Ghana.

The SPI National Forum, themed ‘Building a more peaceful and cohesive Ghana.

A collective endeavour’, addresses various challenges, including security threats, humanitarian crises, and socio-political tensions in the Sahel regions, which pose risks to Ghana.

The forum aims to prevent the spread of insecurity from the Sahel into Ghana.

In response, the Episcopal Conferences of five West African nations—Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Niger—collaborated in November 2019 to initiate the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI), focusing on promoting enduring peace and social cohesion across the region.

These organizations noted that the violence in the Sahel has caused substantial displacement of people across borders, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

“Since November 2022, Ghana particularly its Upper East and Upper West Regions bordering Burkina Faso has experienced an influx of Burkinabé asylum-seekers.

“This influx has added to Ghana’s enduring challenges to peaceful coexistence, including chieftaincy disputes, high youth unemployment and potential political tensions as national elections approach.

These internal strains, if not addressed, will create vulnerabilities that could be exploited by violent extremist groups.”

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference expressed concerns about the tensions in Ghana.

“Beyond the immediate security and humanitarian concerns lie deep-seated challenges that contribute to tensions in Ghana. Economic marginalisation, poor governance and social inequality hinder progress and fuel communal resentment.”

The SPI National Forum offers a distinctive opportunity for collaboration, facilitated through a partnership with the Catholic Relief Services, the Ministry of National Security, and the Ghana Journalists Association.