Savannah Regional Peace Council Expands Local Peace Committees to Strengthen Community-Based Early Warning and Conflict Prevention

The Savannah Regional Peace Council (SRPC), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and co-funding from the Governments of Denmark and Luxembourg, has successfully undertaken a community engagement initiative aimed at expanding Local Peace Committees (LPCs) in selected communities across the Savannah Region.

The activity, implemented under the theme “Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in the Atlantic Corridor,” sought to strengthen community-based conflict prevention, early warning systems, and social cohesion through the establishment and operationalization of inclusive and functional Local Peace Committees in communities identified as vulnerable to emerging security threats.

The initiative was carried out from 15th to 26th June 2026 in the communities of Chache, Mempeasem, Cheayiri, Donayiri, Yombokura, and Jang across the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Bole, and North Gonja districts. It was implemented in collaboration with District Assemblies, security agencies, traditional authorities, and community stakeholders.

The engagement formed part of broader efforts to strengthen local peace infrastructures and improve the ability of communities to identify, report, and respond to early warning signs of conflict and violent extremism.

During the community dialogues, participants were introduced to the structure and mandate of the National Peace Council and engaged in discussions on major threats to peace and security within their communities. The sessions also examined the effectiveness of existing conflict management systems and explored practical options for addressing prevailing security concerns.

Community members openly discussed issues affecting peace and stability, including local disputes, social tensions, and emerging security risks. The dialogues created an opportunity for residents to contribute to the development of locally driven solutions while strengthening collaboration among traditional leaders, women, youth, settlers, minority groups, and local authorities.

More than 400 community members participated in the engagements, demonstrating strong interest in community peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Through the discussions, participants identified key threats to community peace and security and proposed practical options for addressing the challenges.

A major outcome of the initiative was the formation of five Local Peace Committees comprising 45 members, including 8 women and 37 men. The committees were drawn from diverse stakeholder groups, including farmers, herders, traditional leaders, Assembly and Unit Committee members, women, and youth representatives.

The newly established committees are expected to serve as community-based platforms for dialogue, mediation, early warning, and peaceful dispute resolution. Their establishment is anticipated to improve community capacity to detect and respond to emerging conflicts and reduce the likelihood of localized disputes escalating into violence, particularly those related to land, chieftaincy, and identity-based tensions.

The initiative also strengthened trust and collaboration between communities, traditional authorities, District Assemblies, security agencies, and the Savannah Regional Peace Council. It further enhanced opportunities for women, youth, settlers, and minority groups to participate actively in peacebuilding and local decision-making processes.

Traditional authorities in the participating communities expressed their commitment to supporting the Local Peace Committees and collaborating with stakeholders to address challenges identified during the engagements. Their support is expected to contribute significantly to the sustainability and effectiveness of the community peace structures.

The formation of the committees is also expected to strengthen linkages between community-based peace mechanisms and formal state institutions, thereby improving the referral and coordinated management of high-risk cases.

As part of the next phase of the intervention, the Savannah Regional Peace Council will organize training programmes for members of the newly established Local Peace Committees to enhance their skills in mediation, conflict prevention, and Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) mechanisms. The trained committees will subsequently be introduced to District Assemblies, traditional authorities, and security agencies to facilitate closer collaboration and coordinated responses to peace and security concerns.

Additional dialogue sessions involving farmers, herders, and animal owners are also planned to address recurring tensions and promote peaceful coexistence among community members.

The initiative demonstrates the continued commitment of the National Peace Council and its partners to strengthening community resilience, promoting social cohesion, and building sustainable local structures capable of preventing conflict and responding effectively to emerging security challenges.