Meet Aaron: Driving Locally-Led Prevention of Violent Extremism in Ghana

We are pleased to introduce Aaron, GCERF’s National Adviser in Ghana. He is a passionate advocate for community-led peacebuilding and locally driven initiatives to prevent violent extremism.

Before joining GCERF, Aaron served as Peace and Security Projects Manager at STAR-Ghana Foundation, overseeing programmes that promoted peace and built resilience against radicalisation. He managed multiple projects, coordinated grants to local civil society organisations, and facilitated capacity-building efforts for both state and non-state actors to address the root causes of conflict. Aaron has also contributed as a research and PVE programme consultant on topics including radicalisation prevention, fragility, violent extremism, informal economies, and transnational organised crime for organisations such as USAID, AfDB, FCDO, and GITOC. Earlier in his career, he worked in the Policy Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation division at Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.

At GCERF, Aaron supports grant-making and programme management, provides context analysis to improve design and reporting, and undertakes field visits to provide technical guidance to grantees. He acts as a key liaison between GCERF, the Government of Ghana, and in-country partners, ensuring that programmes are locally relevant, strategically aligned, and effectively implemented.

“What motivates me most about GCERF,” Aaron reflects, “is its strong partnerships with governments, focus on local civil society organisations, and community-based approach to tackling radicalisation and violent extremism. By prioritising prevention, GCERF’s work is not only agile and effective but also sustainable, as it is locally led and grounded in national strategies.”

Through his work, Aaron helps empower communities, strengthen local capacities, and ensure that prevention initiatives are impactful and enduring, making civil society a driving force for peace across Ghana.