The United States and Germany have launched a $40 million Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM) initiative to bolster stability in northern Ghana and the coastal West African countries of Benin and Togo.
This multi-year joint U.S.-Germany project works with local governments and communities to strengthen the state's presence and foster a closer relationship between authorities and citizens.
The initiative, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), runs from April 2023 to April 2026.
The CSSM is being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in coordination with Ghana’s Ministry of National Security, local government institutions, and community partners.
The project aims to enhance security, promote community cohesion, build the capacity and legitimacy of government institutions, and support social and economic development. It aligns with Ghana’s National Framework for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism and Terrorism, focusing on a community-oriented approach to mitigate the spread of Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs).
At the project’s launch in Yendi, Northern Region, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Anne Witkowsky, and German Director General for Crisis Prevention, Deike Potzel, emphasized the importance of reinforcing civilian security in areas vulnerable to violent extremism. Equipment donations, including solar streetlights, personal protective gear for the police, and medical equipment for Chereponi District Hospital, were made as part of the initiative.
The CSSM will also expand to other districts in Ghana’s Upper West and Upper East Regions.
Ms. Witkowsky stated that the CSSM is part of a broader U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability in coastal West Africa.
She reiterated that the initiative aims to enhance social cohesion, improve government responsiveness, and support security across the region.
German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, praised Ghana's role as a democratic leader in the region and expressed optimism for free and fair elections. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Ghana’s resilience against violent extremism and building a more secure and stable future.
GNA