A total of 18 staff members from the implementing NGOs including project directors, communications officers, and monitoring and evaluation officers are taking part in the workshop to strengthen their capacity to effectively deliver on the project’s objectives.

They would be equipped with essential knowledge on project implementation, best practices, reporting requirements, and strategies to reduce implementation-related challenges.

The workshop formed part of the implementation of “Bridging the Gap: Promoting Socioeconomic Inclusion, Social Cohesion, and Peacebuilding for Vulnerable Communities,” a three-year initiative.

The overall goal of the project is to empower vulnerable communities by fostering socioeconomic inclusion, enhancing social cohesion, and building resilience against violent extremism.

It is being implemented in partnership with three regional NGOs including the Center for Advancing Rural Opportunity (CARO) in the Upper West Region, African Students for Interfaith Tolerance (ASFIT) in the North East Region, and Rural Initiatives for Self Empowerment (RISE) in the Upper East Region.

Mr Aaron Atimpe, National Advisor on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism for the GCERF project, speaking at the opening of the workshop in Tamale, said the project sought to promote skills-based employment, improve access to financial resources, and reduce vulnerabilities to recruitment by violent extremist groups.

The workshop also provided a platform to identify gaps, share lessons learned from baseline findings, and develop practical recommendations for improvement.

Mr Atimpe said the project was to build trust and strengthen relationships amongst community members, improve access to public services, promote intergroup dialogue, support collaborative community initiatives, and advocate the rights of marginalised and minority groups.

He said it would also raise awareness on violent extremism, foster tolerance, and reinforce local conflict resolution mechanisms.
He said the project targeted refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, journalists, and other public institutions, that were expected to actively participate in and apply the skills gained from the training.

Mr Atimpe urged participants to take advantage of the workshop to enhance their skills and competences to help maximise the prospects of the project.