Ghana and its neighbours—Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin—have reaffirmed their commitment to tackling extremism, climate change, poverty, and cross-border conflicts, which continue to pose serious threats to regional stability.
These countries, all part of the Gulf of Guinea states, are beneficiaries of the World Bank’s Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, aimed at addressing vulnerabilities in border communities. Weak infrastructure, economic hardships, and historical tensions have left these areas highly susceptible to extremism, illicit activities, and political instability, further exacerbating youth unemployment and vulnerabilities among women and children.
Speaking at the Regional Coordination Platform on Social Cohesion in Cotonou, Benin, on Friday, February 7, 2025, Ghana’s Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, emphasized the need for regional cooperation to combat these shared threats.
“While national efforts are critical, we must recognize that the challenges we face do not respect borders. Collaboration is essential to systematically address violent extremism, climate change, and economic vulnerabilities at the community level,” he said.
Regional problems, he said, require regional solutions and cautioned against viewing infrastructure development as a standalone fix for the deep-rooted socio-economic and cultural challenges in the region.
“Social cohesion is not simply built with bricks and mortar. It requires deliberate efforts to address economic disparities and cultural divisions within and between our communities,” he said,
Ahmed Ibrahim underscored the importance of structured youth engagement, job creation, and skills training to ensure sustainable livelihoods and long-term regional stability.
“These initiatives empower young people to become active contributors to their communities, much like what the SOCO Project is achieving in Ghana,” he said.
The Regional Coordination Platform brings together security experts, policymakers, and development partners from Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo to enhance security, expand economic opportunities, and build resilient communities along their borders.
Key areas of focus include intelligence-sharing, coordinated security operations, and community-driven initiatives to foster social cohesion.
The Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project is a $450 million World Bank-funded initiative implemented across Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire.
It aims to: Prevent the spread of conflict from the Sahel; Reduce vulnerability to climate change; Strengthen local institutions and economic opportunities; rebuild public trust through a holistic regional strategy; and addressing the Core Threats
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), North and West Africa are highly vulnerable to rising temperatures, with expected increases of 1.5°C to 3°C. These changes threaten food security, productivity, and public health, disproportionately affecting rural communities.
Poverty remains a severe issue in the Gulf of Guinea states, particularly in northern and rural areas. The World Bank estimates that 50% of people in northern Benin and Togo live on less than $2 per day. Similarly, the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has reported widening income gaps in Ghana, while Côte d’Ivoire’s poverty rate stands at 37.5%, down slightly from 39.4% in 2021–2022.
The increasing activities of Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in the region pose a growing threat to the stability of Gulf of Guinea states. Extremist groups exploit economic hardship and weak governance structures to expand their influence, making social cohesion efforts even more critical.
Hon. Ibrahim firmly stressed that livelihood activities and skills training programs are key to strengthening social cohesion. These programs equip vulnerable groups, particularly women, with economic tools, enabling them to contribute to their families and communities.
“By integrating more of these initiatives into our development strategies, we can foster self-sufficient communities that are more resilient to external threats,” he said.
The SOCO Project has already yielded significant results in providing livelihood support, vocational training, and community dialogue programs. However, additional resources are needed to expand its reach and amplify its impact.
He urged stakeholders to focus on the long-term sustainability of the initiative, stressing that investments in human capital, policy reforms, and governance structures must complement infrastructure development.
“Community participation should not end with project completion. It must be an ongoing process where the people we serve remain central to decision-making,” he emphasized.
Other speakers at the forum echoed the call for deeper collaboration, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger regional security efforts and sustainable economic strategies to protect the future of the Gulf of Guinea states.