Promoting sustainable development through peace, security and resource governance in the Upper West region

Abstract

The study focused on the prospect for and challenges to sustainable development in the Upper West Region. The issues examined related to sustainable development, peace, enhanced security and resource governance. A survey design was used in collecting data from 164 respondents comprising security officers, farmers, chiefs, opinion leaders, CBOs and NGOs to ascertain their views on the subject matter. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the identifiable stake holders and security personnel. Secondary data were collected from district assemblies’ documents and police records. The data were analysed with the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 12 software and presented in tables and charts. The main conclusions are that access to social services, infrastructural and other socio-economic services are low. Many of the residents, except farmers, were aware of the need to protect water bodies. However, chieftaincy disputes and little direct involvement of the community in policing decisions inhibited trust building between the police and the public. It was thus recommended that policy makers should consider making investments in civil education on environmental protection and employment generation for the youth of the region. The security services, especially the police, should emphasise the community policy as a way of building trust for peace and sustainable development.