In the heart of Northern Ghana, the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project is actively working to strengthen community bonds and build resilience against economic and social challenges.
Through youth engagement initiatives, cultural celebrations, and sports activities, SOCO is empowering communities across the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, North East, Savannah, and Oti Regions, fostering unity and mutual understanding among diverse groups.
Implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD), SOCO is part of a larger regional initiative that spans Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with a total World Bank investment of USD 450 million, of which Ghana has been allocated USD 150 million.
The project aims to tackle the complex factors driving instability in the regions, such as economic challenges, climate risks, and social inequality.
One of the project’s core goals is to encourage social cohesion and prevent divisive forces from destabilising communities. Key initiatives include 20 “SOCO Games” and 15 cultural festivals across the selected regions.
These events have provided over 8,000 community members with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and engage in healthy competition, fostering a spirit of unity.
Additionally, the gatherings help prevent youth involvement in divisive or extremist activities by keeping them engaged in positive community life and bridging divides between ethnic and cultural groups.
SOCO has also inaugurated Youth Parliaments in West Mamprusi and Nabdam Districts, with 14 more planned for the next phase. These parliaments offer young people a formal platform to discuss pressing issues, propose solutions, and actively participate in local governance.
Further promoting peace, SOCO has organized 10 inter-community dialogues across the regions, bringing together diverse groups to foster mutual understanding and respect.
In communities where resources are limited, these dialogues provide an essential space for addressing grievances and misunderstandings constructively.
As the 2024 elections approach, MLGDRD is committed to expanding SOCO’s peace-building efforts, ensuring that youth engagement continues to play a critical role in maintaining peace before, during, and after the elections.
The ministry is working to extend the reach of these initiatives, providing the support and guidance needed to build lasting peace and stability in Northern Ghana.
With the focus on youth inclusion, SOCO is not only reducing vulnerability to extremism but is also investing in the long-term social cohesion and resilience of northern Ghana.
As the nation approaches a critical political period, the SOCO project’s initiatives are paving the way for a safer, more united future, one where the young people of northern Ghana are equipped to lead their communities with empathy, respect, and a shared vision for peace.
