The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), and the Ministry of National Security, will convene the Sahel Peace Initiative (SPI) National Forum from July 30 to 31.
The forum, themed “Building a More Peaceful and Cohesive Ghana: A Collective Endeavour,” aims to address pressing issues related to social cohesion, security, and the peaceful conduct of elections in Ghana.
The forum responds to increasing security threats, humanitarian crises, and socio-political tensions emerging from the Sahel region, which pose risks to Ghana. The SPI National Forum is part of a broader initiative launched in November 2019 by the Episcopal Conferences of five West African countries—Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, and Niger—to promote enduring peace and social cohesion across the region.
The violence in the Sahel has led to significant cross-border displacements, with many seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, including Ghana.
This has particularly impacted Ghana’s Upper East and Upper West Regions, which border Burkina Faso. The influx of Burkinabé asylum seekers has compounded existing challenges such as chieftaincy disputes, high youth unemployment, and potential political tensions ahead of national elections.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has expressed concern over these growing tensions and their potential to be exploited by extremist groups. The forum will address these issues and explore strategies to enhance national security and foster a more peaceful and cohesive society.
In addition to discussing immediate security and humanitarian concerns, the forum will tackle deeper issues contributing to tensions in Ghana, such as economic marginalization, poor governance, and social inequality.
The SPI National Forum represents a significant collaborative effort, bringing together various stakeholders to address these critical challenges and work towards a stable and harmonious Ghana.
