Restoring Trust in Community-led Peacebuilding in Ghana
Restoring Trust in Community-led Peacebuilding in Ghana
Restoring Trust in Community-led Peacebuilding
Location
Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District, Ghana
Focus
Reintegration
IMplemented by
NORSAAC
In Bussie, Ghana, the GCERF-supported STRIVE programme, implemented by NORSAAC, facilitated community dialogues that strengthened trust and collaboration among residents. By creating space for shared decision-making, the initiative helped make local peacebuilding more inclusive and gave greater recognition to diverse voices.
In Bussie, located within the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District in the Upper West Region of Ghana, the Fulbe community had long remained on the margins of community decision-making activities.
Through STRIVE’s community dialogues and peace education sessions, the Fulbe Chief of Bussie was invited as a key voice in the community’s peacebuilding process.
Initially, he exercised caution in sharing his views, reflecting the hesitation that often comes from repeated experiences of exclusion.
However, as the dialogues continued and created space for respectful listening and inclusive exchange, he gradually became more open. In one dialogue, he spoke candidly about how marginalisation and exclusion of any tribe can weaken peace and slow community development and encouraged communities to recognise respect for every tribe.
His contribution was well received by traditional leaders, youth, and other community members, helping to shift perceptions of the Fulbe community from outsiders to recognised partners in peace. The Fulbe Chief expressed deep relief and appreciation for the growing recognition and acceptance of the Fulbe community in Bussie.
Our women and children suffered a lot of disrespect in the past, to the extent that they were sometimes chased away from the boreholes when they went to fetch water. But that no longer happens, and we are very happy for these changes.”
— Fulbe Chief
Following this, the Fulbe Chief has taken a more active role in STRIVE activities, mobilising Fulbe youth and elders to participate in community engagements and strengthening their voice in local peacebuilding processes.