The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Catholic Relief Services, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ministry of National Security have instituted the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) National Forum to promote Social Cohesion, Security and Peaceful Elections in Ghana.

The SPI National Forum, which is under the theme: ‘Building a more peaceful and cohesive Ghana. A collective endeavour’, has been necessitated by a multitude of challenges including security threats, humanitarian crises and simmering socio-political tensions in the Sahel regions and the threats it poses to Ghana.

In Ghana, the focus is on preventing the spillover of insecurity from the Sahel.

In response, the Episcopal Conferences of five West African nations (Burkina Faso, Cöte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali and Niger) joined forces in November 2019 to launch the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) with a mission to promote lasting peace and social cohesion throughout the region.

According to them, the violence in the Sahel has triggered significant displacements of people across borders, with many seeking refuge in neighbouring 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 presents a unique opportunity for collaboration, hence the partnership with the Catholic Relief Services, the Ministry of National Security and the Ghana Journalists Association.