Our Work on Conflicts, Peace and Security
Focus:
At TAMA Foundation, we believe that there can be no development without peace and no peace without development. Therefore, the organisation through research, capacity building initiatives and stakeholder engagements with community leaders, state and non-state actors have and continue to contribute to the peace and security of the five northern regions of Ghana. TAMA Foundation through its research and convening roles over the years has gained a good understanding of the drivers of conflicts and actors involve in the conflicts in Northern Ghana.
Projects
Mining for Peace, Not Gold
The Mining for Peace, Not Gold in the Upper East Project, funded by USAID/OTI under the Littoral Regional Initiative (LRI) seeks to improve Violent Extremist (VE) awareness and improve communication, collaboration and positive engagement among youth groups and between youth groups, traditional leaders, local government authorities, and mining entities in four districts of the Upper East region. Under this activity TAMA Foundation Universal delivered four (4) key milestones namely: 1.Mapping of youth groups/networks, stakeholder engagements, and beneficiary selection, 2. Facilitation of dialogue sessions amongst youth groups and between youth groups and traditional leaders, local authorities, and mining entities, 3. Building of the capacity of youth group leaders in Prevention of Violent Extremism ( PVE), conflict resolution mechanisms, and advocacy and 4. Inter-zonal PVE Youth Soccer Tournament (PVEYST) to foster peaceful co-existence and strengthen social cohesion in the communities.
Objectives
To strengthen Violent Extremism (VE) awareness and improve communication, collaboration and positive engagement among youth groups and between youth groups, traditional leaders, local government authorities, and mining entities in four districts of the Upper East region
Districts
- Bongo, Talensi, Nabdam and Bawku West Districts in the Upper East Region
Partners
- USAID/OTO/LRI
- Upper East Regional Peace Council
- Four district assemblies
- Upper East Regional Coordinating Council
- Traditional Authorities
- National Youth Authority-Upper East Region
- National Sports Council
Key Achievements
- Improved understanding of youth related conflicts. Drivers of conflicts of thirty-six (36) youth groups in the beneficiary districts were analysed in consultation with the youth groups, traditional leaders, state and non-state stakeholders. This identified the key conflict issues and provided a firm foundation for dialogues which improved the peace, security and stability in the beneficiary districts.
- Prevention of conflicts. Under the project, 160 youth leaders were trained on the drivers of VE, signs of VE and mechanisms for PVE. The skills acquired from the PVE training helped in quelling eminent attacks on Fulbe in the Adaboya community in the Bongo district and the Tilli community in the Bawku West district. Similarly, the planned vandalization of the Earl International Gold Mining Company was stopped by the youth leaders after the PVE training. They rather used dialogue with the mining company leaders to address their grievances.
- The project reduced the negative perceptions, stereotypes and hostility of non-Fulbe youth against the Fulbe in their communities, enabling non-Fulbe youth to live peacefully with the Fulbe and to respect their human rights.
- Created platforms for regular dialogues among stakeholders, resolving several barriers to positive dialogue including youth complaints about unwillingness of mining companies to meet with them, youth accusations that district assembly staff were in bed with mining companies to impoverish them and destroy their environment and accusations of traditional leaders not protecting their lands and interests.
- Improved organizational capacity in conflict analysis and management. Under the project, staff of TAMA Foundation Universal benefited from useful trainings organized by USAID/OTI/LRI. These included Restorative Cycle training, Vision Power and understanding the Citizenship laws of Ghana. These trainings have improved the capacity of the organization in conflict, stability and security programming.
Period:
May 2023-April 2024
For detail information on this project and possible collaboration please contact
Executive Director, Dr. Chrys Anab
+233 24 482 1024