Community members and local representatives from the Garu, Bawku West, and Bongo Districts in Upper East Region have expressed appreciation to the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and their implementing partners for delivering a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing social cohesion and improving local governance.

The initiative, titled “Enhancing Social Cohesion and Social Contract through the Empowerment of Women and Youth in Three Northern Regions of Ghana,” is being jointly implemented by CDD-Ghana in collaboration with RISE-Ghana, CARO, and SIMBA Ghana.

The project is funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund through UNDP and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

At its core, the project seeks to address the root causes of localised conflicts and mitigate vulnerabilities to violent extremism in northern Ghana.

Through a suite of context-sensitive, community-driven interventions, the initiative is fostering trust between communities and state actors, promoting inclusive governance, and empowering marginalised groups—particularly women and youth—to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.

Strategic communication and local accountability

One of the project’s flagship interventions has been the rollout of strategic communication campaigns via radio and social media. These campaigns leverage data from the District League Table and local government service delivery reports to amplify citizen voice, increase government responsiveness, and rebuild public trust.

“As Assembly Members, one of our greatest worries was the difficulty in convening our constituents and addressing demands outside our mandate. Through the radio programme, we’ve seen a significant shift—constituents now reach out proactively to engage us,” said Hon. Nyaaba Elvis, Assembly Member for Bongo-Feo.

Community outreach and public engagement

Town hall engagements have also been instrumental in bridging the gap between district technocrats and the communities they serve. These forums have created a long-overdue platform for interaction and feedback between the people and local government departments.

“Given the remote location of the district assembly, we rarely had the opportunity to engage departmental heads. Seeing them all present and listening to our concerns has made us feel genuinely involved as citizens,” said Abugre Amina, a community member from Kupela in Bawku West.

Youth Parliaments as Peace Actors

The project has further revitalised youth participation in governance by supporting the formation and activation of District Youth Parliaments. These platforms are enabling young people from across political and ethnic lines to engage in dialogue, raise awareness, and take collective action against violent extremism and insecurity.

The Garu District Youth Parliament, previously dormant despite legal provision for its establishment, has been reconstituted as a result of the project’s intervention.

Mentorship for inclusive leadership

A mentorship component of the initiative has established a network of seasoned mentors drawn from local governance, politics, civil society, and the private sector.

These mentors are equipping young people and women with the skills and confidence needed to actively contribute to the democratic process and reduce political exclusion and vigilantism.

“Many aspiring Assembly Members have been discouraged by unrealistic expectations and social pressure. Joining the mentorship programme has clarified the workings of local governance and inspired us to contribute to its success,” noted Adam Sakina, a youth mentee from Denugu in the Garu District.

A model for community-driven peacebuilding

The project stands as a compelling example of how inclusive, evidence-based interventions can strengthen local governance, foster social trust, and reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies.

CDD-Ghana and its partners reaffirm their commitment to deepening democratic governance and supporting community resilience in the face of complex security threats.

With strong backing from the UNDP, UNFPA, and the UN Peacebuilding Fund, the initiative continues to empower grassroots actors as champions of peace, participation, and progress.