Sapeliga, a border community in Bawku West District, Upper East Region, has long grappled with insecurity fueled by cross-border crime. In 2024, suspected Burkinabe nationals allegedly involved in robbery and other offenses slipped across the frontier and sought refuge in the town. To safeguard residents and stem the threat of violent spill-over, the United Nations Development Programme, Ghana, in partnership with the National Peace Council (NPC), supported and equipped Sapeliga’s Community Peace Committee (CPC) to activate its early-warning and response mechanisms.

Through funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund, UNDP supported the training and equipping of over 300 community members including members of the Local Peace Committee (LPC) and youth watchdog groups in areas such as conflict analysis, rapid information-sharing, and mediation. This investment in grassroots capacity strengthened local vigilance and established clear, trusted communication pathways between community actors and formal security agencies at the district and regional levels.

The effectiveness of this support became evident when the CPC, upon receiving intelligence about the presence of the fugitives, immediately engaged with the Sapeliga Chief and mobilized the Youth Watchdog Committee. Working collaboratively with the Bawku West District Police Commander and the Upper East Regional Police Command, they successfully apprehended the suspects.

Recognizing the risk of mob justice and potential escalation, the CPC played a critical mediating role by ensuring the suspects were handed over through lawful procedures. Instead of resorting to vigilante action or unilateral transfer to Burkinabe authorities, the CPC facilitated an official, cross-border repatriation in coordination with Burkina Faso’s security forces. This not only upheld the rule of law but also strengthened community trust in institutional processes.

The initiative’s success brought about several key results. Notably, it led to the apprehension and lawful return of wanted fugitives to Burkina Faso. It also reinforced cross-border collaboration between Ghanaian and Burkinabe security agencies. Furthermore, the initiative enhanced public confidence in community-based peace and security structures, proving that local actors can play a vital role in national and regional stability.

Critical lessons emerged from this experience. The Sapeliga case underscored the importance of inclusive engagement involving traditional leaders, youth groups, and law enforcement agencies. When all stakeholders are actively involved, early-warning systems become more effective, responsive, and trusted. Another lesson was the value of institutionalized communication across borders. Establishing reliable and formal channels for cross-national information-sharing significantly improves rapid response capabilities and deters impunity by ensuring accountability.

Building on these lessons, key policy recommendations have been identified to replicate and scale this success. First, there is a need to develop a regional framework for routine information-sharing on cross-border threats. Such a framework would enable more efficient coordination among West African states facing similar challenges. Secondly, ongoing capacity-building and resourcing for Community Peace Committees and grassroots peace actors are essential. Sustaining these local structures is key to ensuring long-term vigilance, resilience, and response readiness.

By investing in the Sapeliga CPC and promoting community-led security strategies, UNDP Ghana and the National Peace Council have demonstrated that local peace structures are not only relevant but indispensable. They serve as the first line of defence against threats of violent extremism, organized crime, and instability. This initiative stands as a model for how grassroots mechanisms—when empowered and connected to institutional support—can secure peace not only within Ghana’s borders but across the broader Sahel and Gulf of Guinea corridor.