Preventing Conflict and Violent Extremism in Ghana: Employing Peace Ambassadors, Network System and Cultural Dance

Conflict and violent extremism are complex and multifaceted issues that have been plaguing societies for centuries. These phenomena can have devastating consequences, including loss of life, displacement, and long-term psychological trauma. Conflict and violent extremism are complex issues that require a nuanced understanding of their root causes and consequences. To understand and prevent violent extremism, the West Africa Centre for Counter–Extremism (WACCE) trained volunteers on peacebuilding in rural communities and provided a platform for the peace ambassadors to share knowledge and the root causes of conflict and violent extremism in their communities and exhibit cultural display to promote peace in the various communities. This project will explore the efficacy of the approaches adopted by WACCE, the factors that influence community member participation (take up), and the challenges encountered. The West Africa Centre for Counter–extremism (WACCE) agreed with the research team to support the implementation leading to full-scale randomized control trials. The project at this pilot stage will focus on five communities: The control community, a community with all the interventions, and three communities with only one intervention to test the research instruments. The treatment arms will be expanded during full RCT. Hundred (100) participants will be selected in each community totaling five hundred (500).