Tackling Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana: Approaches and Strategies Adopted by Non-State Actors

Globally, non-state actors have played crucial roles in supporting the state in key areas of national security and defense. The recent spread of violent extremism and terrorism within the West African-sub-region, particularly within the Sahel region, has called for a renewed spirit of partnership and cooperation between state and non-state actors in tackling these emerging threats. This is evidenced in the sporadic nature of attacks carried out by jihadists and terrorist cells across the Sahel region. Ghana’s close door neighbor’s, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, are currently being threatened by violent extremists and terrorist’s cells within the Sahel region. There appears to be an eminent crisis or likely spill-over of violent extremism and terrorism in Ghana, as reports indicate the growing threat of terrorist’s activities within the porous northern borders of Ghana impacting negatively on the human security of citizens and their means of livelihood. Additionally, critical factors that seems to facilitate the movement of these groups into key areas within Ghana particularly, the northern zone are religion, ethnicity and language making it very difficult to clearly isolate such cases. Without a more pragmatic effort driven by non-state actors in addressing these eminent crises, would likely impact negatively on security and stability of the country. This study seeks to highlight key work done by non-state actors in tackling violent extremism and terrorism in the country, whilst chronicling key strengths and weaknesses of these approaches utilized by non-state actors.