Governance and Resilience: Enhancing Community-Based Strategies to Combat Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17159/zhfds065Keywords:
governance, violence, extremism, terrorism, community-based strategies, counter-terrorism frameworks, GhanaAbstract
This paper presents a contextually grounded analysis of governance and community-based strategies for preventing violent extremism and terrorism in Ghana, a country situated at the intersection of regional insecurity and democratic stability. Unlike prior studies that take a generic policy view or ignore local dynamics, this paper integrates governance theories with empirical evidence drawn from Ghana’s high-risk border regions. It employs qualitative methods, specifically semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, security professionals, community leaders and civil society actors. The findings reveal how entrenched governance challenges, such as resource and capacity deficits, political interference and weak inter-agency collaboration intersect with acute socio-economic vulnerabilities to undermine effective prevention efforts. Notably, the study highlights the pivotal yet underacknowledged role of community engagement and grassroots participation in fostering resilience, while identifying deficiencies in existing counter-terrorism frameworks, particularly the lack of an operational definition of violent extremism and the top-down implementation approach. By bridging theoretical models with on-the-ground realities, the paper advances a multi-level framework for policy and practice that foregrounds community agency, inclusive governance and context-driven responses.
References
Adarkwah, S. B. (2020) Counter-terrorism framework and individual liberties in Ghana. African Journal of International and Comparative Law, 28(1), 50–65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3366/ajicl.2020.0301
Agyemang, E. K. (2022) Organised crime and terrorism: An emerging security challenge in West Africa. Accra, Excellent Publishing & Printing.
Allan, H., Glazzard, A., Jesperson, S., Reddy-Tumu, S., and Winterbotham, E. (2015) Drivers of Violent Extremism: Hypotheses and Literature Review. Royal United Services Institute, 1–6.
Ansell, C., and Gash, A. (2008) Collaborative governance in theory and practice. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 18(4), 543–571. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/mum032
AO1. (2024) Interview with the author on 31 May. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
AO4. (2024) Interview with the author on 11 June. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
Arthur, D. D. (2016) Examining the effects of governance challenges in Ghana’s Local Government System: A case study of the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly. Journal of US-China Public Administration, 13(7), 454–465. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17265/1548-6591/2016.07.003
Asaduzzaman, M., Virtanen, P. (2016) Governance Theories and Models. In: Farazmand, A. eds. Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer, Cham. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_2612-1
Aubyn, F. K. (2021) The risk of violent extremism and terrorism in the coastal states of West Africa: Assessing Ghana’s vulnerabilities, resilience and responses. In Conflict Trends (pp. 12–21). African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes. Available from: <https://www.academia.edu/download/78505237/ct321_web_1_.pdf#page=15>
Australian Government. (2022) Safeguarding our community together: Australia’s counter-terrorism strategy 2022. Commonwealth of Australia.
Bak, M., Tarp, K. N., and Liang, D. C. S. (2019) Defining the concept of ‘violent extremism: Delineating the attributes and phenomenon of violent extremism (Vol. 19). Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Available from: <https://www.gcsp.ch/sites/default/files/2024-12/2y10xuCSaBlvYTDbinjPokvyDO2XLpn5jG4va93JVUzppqj08EDHwnC.pdf>
Bekuma, B. G., and Ukawuilulu, J. (2023) Challenges of localization of the policy framework and national action plan for preventing violent extremism in Plateau State, Nigeria. Wukari International Studies Journal, 7(4), 97–106.
Bevir, M. (2016) A reply to critics. International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, 19(3), 389–401. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOTB-19-03-2016-B007
Braun, V., and Clarke, V. (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Brunet, M., and Aubry, M. (2016) The three dimensions of a governance framework for major public projects. International Journal of Publci Management, 1596–1607. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijproman.2016.09.004
CO3. (2024) Interview with the author on 30 July. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
CO4. (2024) Interview with the author on 31 July. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
Crenshaw, M. (1981) The causes of terrorism. Comparative Politics, 13(4), 379–399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/421717
Creswell, J. W. (2013) Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (3rd edn). Sage.
Darkwah, E. B. (2023) Escalation of islamist insurgency in West Africa: Preventing the Spread of the Phenomenon to the Territorial Integrity of Ghana. Master of Science in Defence Analysis (Irregular Warfare) thesis, Naval Postgraduate School. Available from: <https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/html/trecms/AD1224982/>
Demirovski, A. (2021) Contemporary approaches for prevention and countering violent extremism knowledge. KNOWLEDGE-International Journal, 47(1), 257–262. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35120/kij4701257d
Donkin, S., and Bronitt, S. (2013) Critical perspectives on the evaluation of counter-terrorism strategies: Counting costs of the ‘war on terror’ in Australia. In: Masferrer, A and Walker, C. eds. Counter-Terrorism, Human Rights and the Rule of Law: Crossing Legal Boundaries in Defence of the State. Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 169-188. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781781954478.00016
Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., and Alkassim, R. S. (2016) Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11
Faure-Walker, R. (2019) Teachers as informants: Countering extremism and promoting violence. Journal of Beliefs & Values. Routledge, 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2019.1600321
GO1. (2024) Interview with the author on 19 July. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
GO3. (2024) Interview with the author on 2 August. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
Haruna, A. I. (2022) The rising trends of violent extremism in West Africa: A threat to regional security. Uluslararası İlişkiler Çalışmaları Dergisi, 2(2), 111–131.
Institute for Economics and Peace. (2022) Global terrorism index 2022: Measuring the impact of terrorism. Sydney: Institute for Economics and Peace. Available from: <http://visionofhumanity.org/resources>
Institute for Economics and Peace. (2024) Global Terrorism Index 2024. Institute for Economics & Peace. Available from: <https://reliefweb.int/report/world/global-terrorism-index-2024>
IO1. (2024) Interview with the author on 16 July. Telephone/Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
IO2. (2024) Interview with the author on 16 July. Telephone/Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
Israel, M., and Hay, I. (2006) Research ethics for social scientists: Between ethical conduct and regulatory compliance. London, Sage. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849209779
Khan, A., Qasim, M., Khan, S. A., and Shah, I. (2023) Strategies and challenges in addressing violent extremism within the context of general governance: Research gaps identified. Russian Law Journal, 11(4), 857–865.
Kohler-Koch, B. (1999) The evolution and transformation of European governance. In: Eising, R and Kohler-Koch, B. eds. The Transformation of Governance in the European Union. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. pp.29-50.
LO5. (2024) Interview with the author on 19 June. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
Lutz, B. J., and Lutz, J. M. (2022) Terrorism. In: Collins, A .ed. Contemporary Security Studies (6th edn). Oxford University Press.pp 329-345. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198862192.003.0022
Maesschalck, M. (2017) Reflexive governance for research and innovative knowledge. ISTE Ltd and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119388715
MO2. (2024) Interview with the author on 24 June. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
MO3. (2024) Interview with the author on 3 July. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
MO6. (2024) Interview with the author on 28 June. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
MO9. (2024) Interview with the author on 18 July. Telephone/Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
Mutisya, M. (2023) Evaluation of counter terrorism strategies in Kenya. African Journal of Empirical Research, 4(2), 1361–1369. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.4.2.137
Nasser-Eddine, M., Garnham, B., Agostino, K., and Caluya, G. (2011) Countering violent extremism (CVE) literature review. Counter Terrorism and Security Technology Centre, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Australia. Available from: <https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA543686.pdf>
Noricks, D. M. (2009) The root causes of terrorism. In: Davis, P.K. ed. Social Science for Counterterrorism: Putting the Pieces Together. RAND National Defense Research Institute. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7249/MG849
Norman, I., Awiah, B. M., Aikins, M. K., and Binka, F. N. (2014) The review of Ghana’s legislative preparedness to critical national risks: Terrorism and money laundering. Journal Issues Business Management and Economics, 2(11), 201–209.
North, D. C. (1990) Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511808678
Ostrom, E. (2002) Common-pool resources and institutions: Toward a revised theory. Handbook of Agricultural Economics, 2, 1315–1339. Available from: <https://doi.org/10.1016/S15740072(02)100065%2520Get%2520rights%2520and%2520content> DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1574-0072(02)10006-5
Parisi, F. (2005) Coase theorem and transaction cost economics in the law. In: Backhaus, J.G. ed. The Elgar Companion to Law and Economics. Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar Publishing Limited. pp.7-39 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781845425500.00009
Prah, P. K. W., and Chanimbe, T. (2021) Ghana’s readiness to combat terrorism: strategies of security institutions. The International Journal of Intelligence, Security, and Public Affairs, 23(3), 367–399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23800992.2021.1968582
Provan, K. G., and Milward, H. B. (1995) A preliminary theory of interorganizational network effectiveness: A comparative study of four community mental health systems. Administrative Science Quarterly, 40(1), 1–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2393698
Republic of Ghana. (2008) Anti-terrorism act, 2008 (Act 762). Ghana Publishing Company Limited.
Republic of Ghana. (2012) Anti-terrorism (Amendment) act. Ghana Publishing Company Limited.
Republic of Ghana. (2020) National security strategy. Ministry of National Security, Ghana.
Rhodes, R. A. W. (1997) Understanding governance: Policy networks, governance, reflexivity and accountability (1st edn). Open University. Available from:
Rogers, P. (2018) Terrorism. In: Williams, P.D. ed. Security studies: An Introduction 3rd edn. London and New York, Routledge.pp. 395-407 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315228358-27
Ross, J. I. (1993) Structural causes of oppositional political terrorism: Towards a causal model. Journal of Peace Reserach, 30(3), 317–329. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343393030003006
SO1. (2024) Interview with the author on 19 July. Telephone/Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
SO2. (2024) Interview with the author on 31 July. Accra [Recording in possession of the author].
Sørensen, E., and Torfing, J. (2005) The democratic anchorage of governance networks. Scandinavian Political Studies, 28(3), 195–218. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9477.2005.00129.x
Stoker, G. (1998) Governance as theory: Five propositions. International Social Science Journal, 68(155), 17–28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2451.00106
UNDP. (2023) Journey to extremism in Africa: Pathways to recruitment and disengagement. UNDP [Internet]. Available from: <https://www.undp.org/publications/journey-extremism-africa-pathways-recruitment-and-disengagement>
Williamson, O. E. (1985) The Economic Institutions of Capitalism: Firms, markets, relational contracting. New York, Free Press.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Joseph Kelvin Merdiemah, Dr Felix Danso
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
.png){kind=spacer}