The US Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations, Anne Witkowsky, has commented on the significance of the newly launched Coastal States Stability Mechanism (CSSM) in northern Ghana.

“This trip, for us, marks an important step forward in our partnership with Ghana as we work together to enhance resilience and security across coastal West Africa in the face of regional threats,” Ms Witkowsky said.

She addressed the media on Friday, October 11, 2024, in Accra.

The day before, in Yendi, Northern Region, the US$40 million CSSM initiative had been launched.

“With Ambassador [Virginia] Palmer and with our German partners [represented by Ambassador Daniel Krull], we’ve had some very meaningful conversations with partners on the ground, these last couple of days, working to foster peace across coastal West Africa,” Ms Witkowsky said, recalling the launch of the three-year programme.

Acknowledging Ghana as a leader in democracy in Africa, she expressed the US’s pride to partner with the West African country.

As part of the CSSM, Ms Witkowsky underlined the US had embarked on “upgrading security facilities – for police in particular; providing resources to local hospitals, as we did for the hospital in Chereponi; and supporting projects that improve relations between citizens and security forces”.

“Initiatives like these are about addressing drivers of instability, including the growing threat of violent extremism in the region,” she explained, also.

In conjunction with Germany, she said the CSSM was being advanced “through the USAID” with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as “our implementing partner”.

Thinking back on the “terrific” events to launch the CSSM, Ms Witkowsky expressed gratitude to “regional leadership and the Ministry of National Security” whose attendance proved solidarity. 

She said the CSSM was part of a US strategy to “enhance social cohesion, improve government responsiveness, and support security” to “create lasting impacts that contribute to a more secure and resilient Ghana in the region”.

Emphasising the CSSM was a proactive approach, Ms Witkowsky asserted: “Investing in prevention now means a safer and more stable future for all.”

“When Africa succeeds, the world succeeds,” she, also, said. 

Currently, the Coastal States Stability Mechanism covers Ghana and her eastern neighbours: Togo and Benin.