Over a decade after terrorists besieged the region, Ghana has still not been targeted.

It is imperative to recognize, however, that violent extremism today poses a threat to more than just Ghana.

The West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) Executive Director, Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, has stated that it is currently closer to the nation than it has ever been.

West Africa has lost 53% of its population to terrorism, according to WACCE.

23 Ghanaians have been talked out of traveling to join extremist groups, while it is known that 13 Ghanaians have already joined such groups.

“Terrorists have a huge exploitative capacity; they take advantage of existing vulnerabilities to recruit and/or attack,” he said.

Northern Ghana is now more at risk as the threat moves from the Sahel and Burkina Faso to the coastal states.

WACCE is starting a project in Northern Ghana called "Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism through Social Cohesion" to deal with this.

The concept was unveiled by WACCE on Friday at a press briefing.