CAPECS and EU partner to build community resilience in Wa West

The Capacity Enhancement and Community Support (CAPECS), a non-governmental organisation in the Upper West Region, has launched a new project in partnership with the European Union to strengthen community resilience and inclusion in the Wa West District.

The project, titled Driving Resilience and Inclusion Against Violent Extremism (DRIVE), was formally introduced during an inception meeting held on 17 December 2024, at the Wa West Municipal Assembly.

The meeting, attended by chiefs, queen mothers, and various departmental heads, aimed to share the project’s objectives, strategies, and planned activities while rallying support from key stakeholders for smooth and impactful implementation.

Speaking at the event, CAPECS monitoring and evaluation adaptation learning officer Sinto Mustapha Nuhu highlighted the organisation’s mission to empower vulnerable and excluded groups.

He explained that CAPECS, originally named the “Center for the Alleviation of Poverty, Environment, and Child Support,” rebranded in 2017 to better reflect its evolved focus on capacity building and community support.

“Our mission is to empower vulnerable groups by creating environments where they can realise and exercise their potential,” he stated.

The DRIVE project addresses emerging security and developmental threats, particularly violent extremism, which has plagued parts of the Sahel region.

Sinto Mustapha Nuhu expressed concern about the growing influence of violent extremist groups, porous borders, and local conflicts involving chieftaincy, land, and farmer-herder disputes.

“Violent extremist groups continue to exploit community vulnerabilities, including porous borders and existing local conflicts. This project will empower local actors to foster peace and resilience through participatory governance and social cohesion,” he insisted.

The initiative focuses on fostering peace and social cohesion, improving gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and strengthening human security through participatory governance.

Key stakeholders, including traditional leaders and local government representatives, were called upon to institutionalise inclusive practices and ensure the project’s long-term sustainability.

The monitoring and evaluation adaption and learning officer outlined plans to engage communities through training programs targeting assembly staff, decentralised departments, community leaders, and minority groups. Stakeholders were encouraged to actively participate in mapping out dates for these sessions, scheduled between January and June 2025.

He further called on stakeholders, particularly local leaders and traditional authorities, to fully commit to the project’s implementation. “For DRIVE to succeed, it is essential to institutionalise inclusive governance practices that will make these initiatives sustainable,” he urged.

CAPECS has a proven track record of spearheading transformative projects in the region, including initiatives on women’s empowerment, health advocacy, and social inclusion. Notable efforts include the Mobilising for Peace and Cohesion project and the Livelihood for Cohesion initiative.

The organisation also developed community bylaws to address conflicts between farmers and herders, fostering sustainable solutions for peaceful coexistence.

Reporting by Alhassan Tajudeen in the Upper West Region

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