Preventive Facility in the Gulf of Guinea: Community Dialogue on Violent Extremism and Conflict Prevention (Savannah Region)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with co-funding support from the Embassies of Denmark, Luxembourg, and South Korea, in collaboration with the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Assembly, Ghana Immigration Service, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and traditional authorities, implemented a two-day community dialogue programme aimed at strengthening resilience against violent extremism and conflict in border communities of the Savannah Region.

The intervention, themed “Preventive Facility in the Gulf of Guinea,” focused on building the capacity of selected border communities to prevent violent conflict and extremism, strengthen social cohesion, and promote peaceful coexistence through inclusive community dialogue processes.

The project objectives were to strengthen community-based mechanisms and local capacities for conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and the prevention of violent conflict and extremism in selected border communities of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District; to facilitate inclusive dialogue processes in Garimayiri, Kukuteen, and Jinavouri to promote trust-building and social cohesion; and to increase awareness and understanding among stakeholders of the effects and risks of violent conflict and extremism.

The expected outcomes included improved community understanding of conflict prevention, early warning systems, violent extremism risks, and non-violent conflict management; increased trust, dialogue, and social cohesion among stakeholders; strengthened local capacity to identify and respond to emerging tensions such as ethnic disputes and farmer–herder conflicts; improved community resilience against violent extremism exploitation; and strengthened local peace infrastructure to support sustainable peacebuilding in the district.

The programme took place from 21st to 28th May, 2026 across the communities of Garimayiri, Kukuteen, and Jinavouri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District.

Key thematic areas discussed included understanding the drivers and causes of violent extremism and preventive measures; early warning and early reporting mechanisms; and border security management and the role of communities in maintaining peace and security.

The initiative directly benefited over 150 community members across the three participating communities—Garimayiri, Kukuteen, and Jinavouri—strengthening local dialogue structures and enhancing community resilience against conflict and violent extremism.