Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has called for stronger collaboration among state and non-state actors to confront the complex peace and security challenges facing Northern Ghana.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the 6th Dialogue of State and Non-State Actors on Peace and Security in Northern Ghana, held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the Global Dream Hotel in Tamale, the Interior Minister warned that Ghana’s hard-earned peace and stability are increasingly under threat from violent extremism spreading southward from the Sahel region.
“The threat of terrorism remains real and persistent,” Muntaka said. “We must adopt a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach to prevent and mitigate its potential impact.”
He described Ghana as “a beacon of peace and stability within a volatile subregion,” but cautioned that the country’s stability cannot be taken for granted. “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, opportunity, and mutual respect,” he added.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that every Ghanaian feels safe, secure, and empowered. He urged participants to approach the dialogue “with openness, innovation, and a sense of shared responsibility aimed at fostering a peaceful and prosperous Northern Ghana.”
Muntaka also called for building stronger trust between communities and security agencies, prioritizing youth development, empowering women and traditional authorities, and promoting responsible media engagement in efforts to sustain peace across the North.
The dialogue, organised by the STAR-Ghana Foundation and its partners, brought together Regional Ministers from the Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West Regions, as well as top security commanders, traditional and religious leaders, civil society actors, and development partners.
In his welcome address, Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John stressed the urgency of collective action in addressing persistent peace and security challenges in the region. He cited chieftaincy and land disputes, substance abuse, and cross-border crimes as major threats to stability.
“These challenges require coordinated and collective approaches that transcend administrative boundaries,” Ali Adolf said. He commended STAR-Ghana Foundation and its partners for fostering dialogue and promoting peacebuilding initiatives at the grassroots level.
The forum served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and propose sustainable strategies to strengthen peace and security in Northern Ghana. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to working together in protecting communities and consolidating the region’s role as a pillar of stability within the country.
Source: www.KumasiMail.Com/JosephZiem
