Upper East Region strengthens efforts to combat land conflicts and extremism

The Upper East Region is currently grappling with pockets of land-related conflicts due to its proximity to Togo and Burkina Faso—both of which have experienced extremist activities—the region is on high alert for possible actions by jihadists and violent extremists.

To address the situation, the Upper East Regional Peace Council and its partners have initiated a series of training workshops for traditional and religious leaders.

These workshops have focused on topics such as “Understanding Violent Extremism, Radicalisation, and Their Effects on Economic Activities,” “Using Early Warning Systems as a Tool for Preventing Conflicts,” and the “Land Act.”

When Ali Anankpieng, the executive secretary of the Peace Council, spoke to the media on the sidelines of a two-day training session for traditional and religious leaders in the Navrongo and Builsa Traditional Areas, he noted that land-related conflicts have worsened due to a lack of knowledge about the Land Act.

“We reviewed the Land Act to help them understand land issues and how the framework is designed to manage land matters in Ghana, including their communities. By understanding this, they can take steps to de-escalate violence in their communities. If you look at the various land conflicts and read the act, and you genuinely want to reduce tension over land, the information from the act can assist in that process,” Anankpieng said.

Chief of Natugnia, Naba Anambono Ayamga, remarked that the training—particularly on the Land Act—has been timely and beneficial.

“Today, the Peace Council has informed us that when giving out land, it is better to document it to avoid any issues. Now, we understand that we need to draft agreements for land usage, which will help prevent misunderstandings,” Ayamga said.

The workshop was sponsored by the governments of Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Australia through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Approximately 50 participants, including traditional and religious leaders as well as women leaders from Doba, Natugnia, Navrongo, Pinda, and Manyoro, attended.

Reporting by Mark Smith in the Upper East Region

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