Last updated: April 7, 2026
Fulbe Inclusion Dialogue
Accra, Ghana – March 26, 2026.
The West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) in partnership with the High Commission of Canada in Ghana convened a national dialogue on inclusion in Accra to promote inclusion and enhance diversity as part of strengthening resilience against violent extremism. The dialogue dubbed Fulbe Inclusion Dialogue (FID) provided opportunity to discuss marginalization affecting minority groups including institutional exclusion, social stigmatization and its tendency to influence violence national integration and radicalisation among vulnerable youth. With participants from 8 regions of Ghana, the dialogue afforded participants the right environment to share experiences and perspectives on the subject of marginalization and inclusion and how it can affect peace and national cohesion.
Delivering his opening remarks, the Director of the Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre of the National Security Secretariat, General Timothy Bataa-Ba-Na, highlighted the importance of national cohesion in sustaining Ghana’s peace. Whilst he acknowledged the danger of marginalization along ethnic lines in various parts of the country, he emphasized the reality of a strongly pluralistic society Ghana enjoys. He commended the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) and the High Commission of Canada in Ghana for the program. ‘‘The state needs you more than you need the state. The societies in which we find ourselves, we need to live in harmony — not to please one group, not to please security services, but that we will all live and meet our aspirations”.
Drawing on the example of a footballer who overcomes prejudice through performance rather than confrontation, he encouraged the Fulbe community to project their identity with dignity and noted that the Fulbe — present across all industries, ideologies, and regions of Ghana and beyond — are a formidable force that is yet to fully harness its own potential.
The Political and Public Affairs Counsellor of the High Commission of Canada to Ghana, Elsa Mouelhi-Rondeau, commended WACCE for the initiative and expressed admiration for Ghana’s peace and stability. Canada’s support for this initiative is inspired by Canada’s own long cherished values, culture and experience of multiculturism and inclusion including of women and girls. Madam Rondeau highlighted that inclusion represents a nation’s strength and that ‘‘A society where certain groups are marginalised deprives itself of the ideas, the energy, and the perspectives that those people would have contributed. A country that excludes is a country that is making itself poorer in every sense of the term.”. She emphasized the issue of marginalisation of Fulbe women and girls, and acknowledged the establishment of the Fulbe Girls’ Caucus — supported through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — as a milestone in ensuring that inclusion begins from within the community.
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar, Executive Director for the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE), thanked the Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre for the opportunity to work together in addressing some of the most important security challenges facing Ghana. ‘’For more than 11 years, we have proudly worked with the National Security Secretariat in Preventing Violent Extremism and promoting peace in Ghana’’. He expressed appreciation to the High Commission of Canada to Ghana for their support for the initiative highlighting the leading role of Canada in promoting inclusion and a culture of pluralism. ‘WACCE is encouraged by your enduring values of inclusion and a vibrant culture of pluralism in advancing global peace and solidarity. We are therefore proud to work with you in advancing these values’’.
The dialogue highlighted the challenge of marginalization in the various parts of the country and provided opportunity for participants to share their experiences of exclusion, discriminatory and stereotypical treatments in their communities and in their encounters with various actors. It provided actionable advocacy plans, outlining shared priorities, key messages, and practical steps for collective stakeholder engagement following the dialogue. The participants committed to revising their approach to advocacy focusing on building partnerships, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications.
The event was held at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra, and brought together about 40 Fulbe leaders including women and youth leaders to take stock of challenges facing the Fulbe community and provided critical insights, new ideas and proposed solutions in addressing the challenges. Executives of Taabital Pulaaku Ghana Chapter, Fulbe Youth Association of Ghana (FUYAG), National Council of Fulbe Chiefs of Ghana and Fulbe Girls Caucus, Ghana Cattle Traders Association, Congress of Fulbe Communities, among others participated in the dialogue.
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West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE)
No. C419, Goodwill Road
Kokomlemle, Accra
Tel: +233 302200799
Tel: +233 505837185
Web: www.waccegh.org
