As part of efforts to improve community policing and support the security services in maintaining peace and order, Neighbourhood Watchdog Committees, have been inaugurated in three communities in the Bawku West District.
Each committee, comprising 15 members, was inaugurated at Apaogo, Widnaba, and Tilli, all three border communities within the district, to assist the security services, particularly the Ghana Police Service, in maintaining law and order.
The inauguration followed intensive training and capacity-building sessions conducted for the members by the Ghana Police Service as part of the Preventing Violent Extremism and Supporting Peace in the Northern Border Regions of Ghana (PEACE PROTECT) project.
The project is being implemented by the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocesan Development Organisation (NABOCADO), with funding support from the European Union through Coginta Ghana, a non governmental organisation.
It seeks to empower community stakeholders to work with relevant authorities, particularly the security services, to prevent crime, maintain law and order, and identify early warning signs of violent extremism, among other objectives, to promote peace and social cohesion.
All members of the committees, who would operate under the supervision of the Zebilla District Police Command, were provided with T-shirts branded with the logo of the Ghana Police Service, wellington boots, and flashlights to support their work.

As part of the project, the construction of a community police post at Widnaba community was ongoing.
Speaking during brief ceremonies at the various locations to inaugurate the committees, Reverend Father Clement Aapengnuo, Country Director of Coginta Ghana, underscored the importance of community involvement in promoting peace and security.
He explained that the move to enhance community policing was part of a broader strategy to strengthen and safeguard the northern borders of Ghana against infiltration by violent extremists, terrorists, and localised conflicts.
“The committees are to act as early warning mechanisms and protect themselves because we believe that security is a shared responsibility. We are going to support the police to inaugurate more of such Neighbourhood Watch Committees in other districts,” he said.
Dr Joseph Bangu, Executive Director of NABOCADO, explained that the project aligned perfectly with NABOCADO’s work.
He noted that through the Good Governance, Justice and Peace Directorate of his organisation, many communities had been engaged to maintain peace and strengthen social cohesion.
He said the formation of the committees was the result of a collaborative agreement involving all relevant stakeholders, including NABOCADO, Coginta, the security services, community leaders, and the youth, to ensure inclusiveness and shared responsibility.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Solomon Ketu, National Deputy Commander of the Community Policing Unit (CPU), noted that all committee members underwent thorough verification to ensure they had no criminal records before being approved.
He cautioned the members against abusing the delegated powers, saying, “You are not to lord over your community members; you are to assist the police to watch over your community. You are not policemen, but you are complementing the efforts of the police to maintain security in your community.”
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Jackson Kportufe, the Zebilla Police Commander, who inaugurated the committees, advised members to work with their communities to support the police, adding, “You are the ears and eyes of your community.”
Mr Jonas Awinzo, Assemblyman for Agaogo-Soogo electoral area, lauded the initiative and stressed the need for collaboration to promote peace and protect the area from crime and extremism.