S/R: FOSDA LAUNCHES WOMEN PEACE CIRCLES; TRAINS GROUPS ON CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND CAPACITY BUILDING
The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), in collaboration with STAR-Ghana Foundation, the West African Centre for Countering Extremism, and the Savannah Regional Peace Council, has trained women groups in a three day capacity building workshop aimed at strengthening conflict resolution mechanisms to combat insecurity and violent extremism in the Savannah Region.
The training, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the United Kingdom under the Strengthening Systems for Resilience against Extremism (SURE) Project, was held at the Mum and Dad Legacy Lodge conference hall in Bole on November 19, 2025.
The initiative follows the launch of the Women Peace Circles (WPC) in Jilinkon in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District and further engagements with women in Bole and Mandari communities on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Addressing participants, the Executive Director of FOSDA, Ms. Theodora Williams Anti, said the Women Peace Circles form an essential component of the SURE Project, which seeks to strengthen community resilience and promote peace while preventing violent extremism.
She explained that a key objective of the WPC is to enhance women’s participation in peacebuilding processes and in mechanisms aimed at preventing violent extremism, especially in border communities where radicalization risks are higher among the youth.
According to her, “violent extremism in most cases affects the youth, who are always at risk of being radicalized. Terrorists and extremists operate within communities and exploit young people to launch attacks. This must be prevented in Ghana’s border communities.”
Ms. Anti further stressed the crucial role of women in peace efforts, stating, “We believe that women’s participation in peace processes is very, very key. Since September this year, we have been working with the Regional Peace Council to identify respectable women, women with influence and a voice who can serve as members of the Peace Circle.”
She disclosed that women selected for the initiative come from across the five northern regions and have been chosen for their potential to champion peace processes locally and nationally.
Explaining the capacity building focus, she noted:
“We want the women to have the capacity to understand conflict and how it evolves, to understand what peace building is and their role as women, so they will have a very good understanding of their responsibilities in peace building activities.”
She added that the training equips women with knowledge on how violent extremism operates and how they can support organizations and communities to resist extremist influences.
Hajia Kansawurche Veronica Azara Bukari, a queen mother, encouraged participants to become strong voices for women within peace building structures.
She noted that some of the women have already received training from the Kofi Annan International Peace keeping Training Centre.She lamented the tendency of women to remain silent during peace and conflict resolution processes, saying women represent a powerful force capable of influencing positive change.
Hajia Kansawurche pledged her full support and promised to lead sensitization efforts, especially in border communities.
The Assemblywoman for the Mandari Electoral Area, Hon. Memunatu Mahama, expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing it as a major step toward ensuring meaningful representation of women in peace building and counter extremism efforts.She used the platform to encourage women to build self confidence and work alongside men in safeguarding communities from terrorist threats.
Hon. Memuna urged participants to share the knowledge gained and apply it in their everyday lives.
Participants later discussed potential drivers of conflict in their communities and identified appropriate mediation and dialogue channels to address them.
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