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Peace Council trains small-scale cross-border traders, transport operators to counter violent extremism

Aminu Ibrahim

The National Peace Council (NPC) has organized a training program for Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders (SSCBT) and transport operators in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region to prevent violent extremism and promote peace.

 

Targeting Dorimon and its environs, the training aimed at equipping participants with skills to identify potential extremist activities and develop strategies for countering violent extremism in the region.

 

The two-day training, held at Dorimon on the 13th and 14th of September, 2024, formed part of the "Atlantic Corridor Project: Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism" which is supported by the Danish Embassy, UNDP, the German, Australian and Norwegian Governments.

 

The training was under the theme, “Preventing and responding to violent extremism in the Atlantic Corridor – Empowering women in Small-Scale Cross-Border Trade and Transport Operators for Peace Advocacy.”

 

Mr Yahaya Abdus-Sallam Umar, a member of the Upper West Regional Peace Council, said the training was targeted at equipping women traders, transport operators, traditional authorities, and local government actors with essential skills to identify and counter violent extremist activities as they engage in their trade expeditions.

 

He noted that traders and transport operators, due to the nature of their work, are often positioned to observe suspicious movements and activities that could be linked to violent extremism.

 

"The threat of violent extremism in the region is very real, and small-scale cross-border traders can play a crucial role in keeping our communities safe. Through this training, we are helping them develop the skills they need to recognize early warning signs and take appropriate action," he said.

 

He added that the training would further empower the participants to appropriately report identified early warning signs of violent extremist activities to appropriate authorities, particularly security agencies.

Mr Abdus-Sallam also noted that the training was also to help the participants recognize and abide by the trade laws of their resident country and other countries across the border where they engage in trade.

 

He said raising awareness of commodities suitable for trade and export among the traders was also necessary to avoid breaches, citing the government's policy directive banning grain exports against the backdrop of a prolonged dry spell experienced in the northern regions.

 

As part of the event, the National Peace Council officially introduced the newly formed local peace committee for the Wa West District which will serve as a key mediator in resolving conflicts and promoting peace in the district.

 

The seven-member committee, which consists of traditional authorities, religious leaders, and local government representatives, is expected to work closely with the NPC to maintain vigilance and foster collaboration among communities as well as security agencies.

 

Pognaa Sadia Gbolo, the queen mother of the Guo community and member of the local peace committee, said the training has encouraged participants to develop cordial relationships with the security agencies to enable the traders to have the confidence to report issues to the agencies.

 

She added that it opened participants to the importance of peaceful co-existence, especially ahead of the December 2024 general elections and why they need not “transfer feuds from their trade destinations back to their communities.”

 

Hon. Ambrose Gambusie, Assembly for Dabo Electoral Area, said the training would help reduce the burden of Assembly Members being called to security checkpoints now and then to confirm the identities of community members who move without their national identification cards.

 

He said it would further bolster the relationship between the Fuble community, a predominantly cattle herder tribe, and original settlers to live in peace and harmony by reducing farmer-herder tensions.

 

 

The training brought together about 65 participants, including women traders, transport operators such as minibus drivers, tricycle operators, and canoe captains, as well as traditional authorities, local government actors, and Assembly Members.

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