In December 2024, West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) will be ten years, marking a decade of dedication to confronting the rising threat of violent extremism and insecurity across West
Africa.

Since its founding in December 2014, WACCE has remained at the forefront of efforts to protect communities, foster peace, and build resilience in the face of growing terrorist violence. Ahead of this, we will like to outline the significance of this journey.

In 2014, when WACCE was founded, the risk of violent extremism felt distant to many in Ghana. However,
WACCE saw the danger looming and acted swiftly to alert Ghana of what was to come. Fast forward to
today, and West Africa tragically accounts for 43% of global terrorism-related deaths. This stark reality
and WACCE’s pro-activeness underscores how vital the organization’s work has been over the last
decade.

A Decade of Impact

WACCE’s impact over the past decade has been profound. The organization has directly intervened in 23 cases, stopping individuals from travelling to join terrorist groups, and effectively saving lives and futures.
In one particularly dramatic case, a young man was intercepted just a day before his planned departure to join an extremist group.

More than 9,000 community members, peace ambassadors, and local youth have been empowered to recognize and resist the pull of extremism.

Through its national initiatives, such as the first-ever National Forum on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Ghana, WACCE sparked national conversations and played leading roles in laying the foundation for future action. Its projects span key areas, including tackling youth and vigilante violence, empowering women and youth in preventing violent extremism, training peace ambassadors, and developing innovative cybersecurity solutions to combat online radicalization.

WACCE has even pioneered the development of a generative AI tool designed to boost electoral participation in Ghana, underscoring its commitment to combat misinformation and empower marginalized communities through civic participation. But WACCE’s influence- isn’t limited to Ghana. The organization has worked closely with international bodies like the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and the US State Department to help shape global counter-terrorism policies.

As WACCE reflects on this milestone, it does so with immense pride, and with an unwavering commitment to the future. The fight against extremism is far from over, and the organization remains more determined than ever to build stronger, more resilient communities that can thrive in peace.

“Ourwork is about more than just stopping extremists,” said Mutaru Mumuni, Executive Director at WACCE.

“It’s about creating environments where youth feel empowered, people feel safe and where they can live and thrive free from fear. That’s what drives us every day.”