With funding from the governments of Denmark, Australia, Norway, and Germany, the initiative aims to address the immediate drivers of radicalization leading to violent extremism of at-risk communities.

Following a comprehensive assessment by UNDP, which identified youth unemployment as the primary driver of vulnerability to violent extremism in Northern Ghana, a workshop was held to co-design and identify sustainable livelihood value chains. This collaborative approach brought together community members, government agencies, Civil Society Organisations to inform interventions and support various communities in preventing violent extremism.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony in Manyoro, the Head of Inclusive Growth and Governance at UNDP Ghana, Dr. Edward Ampratwum, emphasized the significant role of empowering women and youth to preventing violent extremism. 

He stressed that one of the strategies is by providing livelihood opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship, we can reduce the vulnerability of individuals to radicalization and promote sustainable peace and development in Ghana. 

“By equipping women and youth with the tools to build resilient livelihoods, we are not only preventing the spread of violent extremism, but also delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a more peaceful and prosperous future for all. UNDP will continue to work with partners to develop targeted solutions that address the root causes of radicalization and build inclusive communities, leaving no one behind,” added Dr. Ampratwum.

Speaking on behalf of the Overlord of Manyoro traditional area, His Majesty Pe Clement Atudipare, in his remarks, strongly endorsed this initiative and committed to being a responsible steward, harnessing its potential for the greater good of the community.

“We, the people of Manyoro, gratefully embrace the opportunity presented to our community. We commit to protect the intervention provided and ensure that this initiative brings significant progress and positive change to our community to sustain peace”, said, Atudipare

Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Shiela Ayitah, Executive Director of MORE-Women, underscored its transformative potential to prevent violent extremism and bring positive change among youth and women in the Manyoro community. 

“We see the collaboration with UNDP Ghana as a crucial step in preventing violent extremism and we are happy to support youth and women in Manyoro community to become agents of positive change”, noted Ayitah.

In her own words, Abalem Esther, a hairdresser in Manyoro community, describes the opportunity as one that will transform her life greatly and those of her family and community.

“For a long time after completing my hairdressing training, I felt hopeless, with no start up to make use of my skills and earn income. But now, thanks to this initiative, I have the resources and support to pursue my passion in hairdressing and contribute positively to my community. I'm grateful for this chance to build a better future for myself and help prevent the spread of violent extremism in my community”, Abalem recounted.

The livelihood support items included small ruminants (sheep and goats), guinea chicks, hairdressing toolkits, metal fabrication toolkits, weaving toolkits and machines. The provision of the livelihood starts up tools is part of a broader Atlantic project which seeks to prevent and address the immediate localized drivers of radicalization, leading to violent extremism in target communities in Burkina Faso, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, by supporting mechanisms to build resilient communities.

The project is empowering a total of 258 beneficiaries, with 108 individuals receiving livelihood support and startup tools in Phase One, and an additional 150 individuals receiving seedlings during the dry season in Phase Two. Furthermore, the project is having a ripple effect, indirectly benefiting approximately 500 people in the surrounding community, amplifying its positive impact and contributing to a more sustainable future.