The Regional Forum on Social Cohesion has brought together key stakeholders from Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo in Cotonou, Benin, to deepen collaboration on local governance, conflict prevention, and economic resilience in the northern regions of the Gulf of Guinea.
The forum, which followed the Committee on Regional Coordination (CRC) meeting, served as a knowledge-sharing platform where participating countries presented insights, discussed challenges, and explored solutions to strengthen social stability across the subregion.
Ghana, led by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, played a key role in the discussions, presenting the country’s approach to local governance as a tool for social cohesion.
Ghana’s delegation highlighted the importance of decentralized governance structures, inclusive development, and community engagement in addressing the vulnerabilities that contribute to social unrest and violent extremism.
During the country presentations, Ghana shared key insights on its governance model, emphasizing the role of district assemblies and local authorities in fostering peace and economic empowerment.
The presentation showcased Ghana’s initiatives in youth employment, skills training, and the use of digital platforms like the Local Development Portal to improve governance transparency and citizen participation. Delegates from other countries engaged in discussions on how these strategies could be adapted to their national contexts.
The forum also provided an opportunity for Ghana to exchange ideas on community-led approaches to development, a critical component in preventing radicalization and strengthening grassroots resilience. The discussions underscored the need for regional coordination, policy alignment, and the scaling up of successful interventions across the four countries.
Participants explored strategies for sustaining these efforts beyond the SOCO Project’s initial implementation. Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to securing additional resources and working with regional partners to expand the reach of social cohesion initiatives.
