Accra, June 13, GNA - The Government of Japan, working through the United Nations system in Ghana, has contributed three million dollars through the Trust Fund for Human Security, to a project targeted to empower local institutions, communities and individuals to manage and prevent conflict in northern Ghana, in order to ensure sustainable human security in the area.

The project entitled; "Enhancing human security through developing local capacity for holistic community based conflict prevention in northern Ghana", would be implemented over a three-year period by five UN agencies in Ghana - the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the United Nations University. A statement issued by the WFP in Accra on Friday said in the 1980s and 1990s, Ghana's neighbouring countries - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote d'Ivoire - were considered to be stable until they faced severe conflicts and disputes which reversed most of the gains of socio-economic development.

"This project takes the view that while relative stability prevails in Ghana currently, this cannot be assured unless preventative measures are put in place to address ongoing conflicts in the northern Regions. Left unchecked, they have the potential to destabilize the entire country."

It said it was against this background that this intervention sought to put in place a programme that addressed human security by developing local capacity for community-based conflict prevention in northern Ghana, using a holistic approach.

This project would address these challenges by implementing comprehensive and multi-sectoral activities in the areas of conflict prevention, health, agriculture, education and income generation. Activities under this project would include capacity development and awareness raising among local government officials, traditional leaders and media representatives on their respective roles in conflict prevention; increasing agricultural productivity through the training of farmers, rehabilitation of small dams, and the provision of seeds; training blacksmiths for alternative livelihoods, and improving nutrition through the development of local food supply chains and education on health and nutrition.

Ultimately, the project is expected to promote conflict prevention and improve the economic conditions and food security of local residents leading to enhanced human security starting at the community level.