Rethinking Community Response Against Violent Extremism

This Working Paper contributes to the literature on the political economy of engaging citizens, especially those in transit paths of violent extremists and terrorist groups from the Sahel towards the coast countries in West Africa, to pre-empt, prevent, and protect their communities against the entry of violent extremists and terrorists’ groups into Ghana. It is grounded in research that unearths the lived economic realities of frontier communities in northwestern Ghana that inform their reception and reactions to Government’s call for their involvement in initiatives for countering and preventing violent extremism (CPVE) in Ghana. It argues that unless and until state security interests synchronize with the human and livelihood security interests of communities, citizens’ cooperation in CPVE activities will not be expected.