{
  "id": 5780368,
  "title": "Ghana must address root causes of violent extremism – Emmanuel Kotin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/ghana-must-address-root-causes-of-violent-extremism-emmanuel-kotin",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T14:18:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/violent-extremism-3/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghanaian security expert Emmanuel Kotin has urged the government to tackle the underlying factors contributing to violent extremism in the country, rather than solely resorting to military actions. Speaking on GTV's Current Agenda on September 5, 2026, Mr Kotin, the Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Security and Counterterrorism (ACSC), highlighted that poverty, ethnic marginalization and economic exclusion in regions along Ghana's northern border could make communities susceptible to extremist recruitment. He emphasized that the government's response to violent extremism had predominantly focused on military interventions, without adequately addressing the social and economic issues faced by vulnerable communities.\n\nMr Kotin argued that extremist groups often exploit poor living conditions to lure residents, convincing them that the government has failed to deliver basic services such as roads, electricity, and economic opportunities. He noted that such narratives could sway frustrated and marginalized young people who feel excluded from the nation's economic growth. He cited Bawku, a region where commercial activities that once supported the local economy have gradually relocated to Bolgatanga and, in some cases, across the border due to insecurity.\n\nRegarding the reported arrests of over 300 individuals linked to alleged extremist recruitment attempts between 2023 and 2025, and 47 cross-border incursions during the same timeframe, Mr Kotin questioned the sufficiency of these figures in determining the effectiveness of Ghana's security strategy. He stressed the need for information on arrests, prosecutions, and convictions to be provided to the public and policymakers to evaluate the threat level and the effectiveness of security measures.\n\nKotin recommended enhanced intelligence gathering and information-sharing between Ghana and neighboring nations in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Sahel region. He stressed the importance of properly resourcing security agencies to safeguard Ghana's borders while simultaneously addressing the economic and social challenges that could render communities vulnerable to extremist recruitment. Kotin concluded that tackling violent extremism should involve a combination of effective security measures and long-term efforts to alleviate poverty, unemployment, marginalization, and economic exclusion.",
  "summary": "By Ashiadey Dotse Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Security and Counterterrorism (ACSC), Emmanuel Kotin, has urged the government to address the root causes of violent extremism rather than relying mainly on military interventions. Speaking on GTV’s Current Agenda on Saturday, September 5, 2026, Mr Kotin said poverty, ethnic marginalisation and economic exclusion in […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana's security expert Emmanuel Kotin urges addressing root causes of violent extremism.",
    "Government response focuses on military actions, neglecting social and economic issues."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}