On October 10, the United States and Germany, in partnership with the in Government of Ghana, launched the Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM), a $40 million regional initiative focused on strengthening stability in northern Ghana and the coastal West African countries of Benin and Togo. CSSM aligns with Ghana's National Framework for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism and Terrorism, and recognizes that a community-oriented approach is required to address key drivers of instability and to mitigate of the spread of violent extremist organizations (VEOS).

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations Anne Witkowsky and German Director General for Crisis Prevention, Stabilization, Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Assistance, Deike Potzel (remote) launched the joint initiative in Yendi, Northern Region and donated essential equipment to the Chereponi District Hospital and the District Police Service, whose police station is currently being rehabilitated as part of the program. The Chereponi District Chief Executive Hajia Zuweiratu Maddaa and North East Regional Minister Yidana Zakaria spoke at the launch and received the equipment.

 This initial effort will fund the installation of 50 solar streetlights in the Wenchiki and Dambu communities, personal protective equipment for the Police Service, a back-up solar power system and blood bank refrigerators for the district's only hospital, trauma counseling and a Peace Durbar for community stakeholders, and high school debate and quiz competitions centered on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and ethnic diversity. Through these projects the initiative reinforces civilian security, promotes community cohesion, improves capacity and legitimacy of government representatives and services, and advances social and economic development.

 The United States and German governments, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the German Federal Foreign Office, provided initial funding for the CSSM program. The International Organization for Migration (I0M) S implementing the program in coordination with Ghana's Ministry of National Security and its Counter Terrorism Fusion Center, local government institutions and community partners. Beyond the initial focus on Chereponi, the CSSM program will expand to select districts in the Upper West and Upper East Regions with programs and support designed for the needs of those communities.

U.S. Assistant Secretary Witkowsky emphasized the importance of CSSM and the broader U.S. commitment to promoting stability and preventing violent extremism in West Africa. "CSSM is a crucial component of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability (SPCPS), which seeks to improve stability and foster peaceful, resilient nations," she said. Witkowsky further underscored, "Through CSSM, we are pursuing an integrated approach to development and security, aligning our efforts with the plans of our partner governments. This holistic approach helps mitigate conflict risks, reduce vulnerabilities, and strengthen social cohesion.

In a video statement, German Director General Potzel said "A main goal of CSSM is strengthening the presence of the Ghanaian state in remote border areas and enhancing its relationship with local communities. This is important to create resilience order to prevent conflict and violence. We know that prevention works best if all parts of society are included this is why CSSM also focuses on promoting the engagement of women and marginalized communities for conflict prevention.

CSSM's programming will strengthen security and stability in northern Ghana through programs that work directly with local officials, community leadership, and local populations. The program's flexible design allows it to adapt to emerging security challenges, empowering local communities to lead their own stability efforts.