The National Peace Council (NPC), in collaboration with international and local partners, has launched the Development and Resilience Index Against Violent Extremism (DRIVE Index) to strengthen Ghana’s peace, stability and democratic resilience.
The initiative, supported by partners including the UK Government, Norway and Resilience for Peace, is aimed at providing evidence-based tools to help prevent violent extremism and enhance social cohesion across the country.
Speaking at the launch, the Chairman of the NPC Governing Board, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, in remarks read on his behalf, described the DRIVE Index as more than a research exercise. He said it is a cutting-edge decision-making tool designed to help government and stakeholders better understand factors that make communities either resilient or vulnerable to extremist influence.
According to the NPC Board Chairman, the index integrates community perceptions, psychosocial dynamics, governance indicators and development realities to generate clear, localized and actionable data. This, he said, would guide targeted prevention strategies and effective responses to emerging security threats.
Most Rev. Fianu further noted that in view of cross-border security risks, particularly in northern Ghana, the DRIVE Index offers dual benefits. It would support prevention efforts in at-risk communities while also serving as a national tool for monitoring social cohesion, democratic confidence and early warning signs of instability.
He disclosed that the pilot phase of the DRIVE Index is expected to run from October 2025 to June 2026, with emphasis on co-creation, national ownership and strong institutional participation. The initiative, he said, presents Ghana with an opportunity to consolidate its strengths and address emerging vulnerabilities through data-driven peacebuilding.
Mr Hoff Mirko of Resilience for Peace outlined the methodology, approach and survey strategies underpinning the DRIVE Index, highlighting its potential to inform policy and strengthen resilience at both local and national levels.
Dr Edward Apratwum, Head of Governance and Inclusive Growth at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), stressed the strong link between sustainable peace, security and social development, and reaffirmed UNDP’s support for the initiative, which aligns with Ghana’s national framework for preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
