The Northern Regional Coordinating Council has commended the European Union (EU), for supporting the region’s counter-terrorism efforts.
The council says the threat from violent extremists in the Sahel remains a major security challenge for the region, which is already grappling with underdevelopment.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Saani Alhassan Shaibu, made the commendation when the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly paid a courtesy call on him at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council in Tamale on Tuesday.
According to the Minister, violent extremist groups often take advantage of challenges with unemployment and other livelihood issues to infiltrate countries, hence, any support to enhance the livelihoods of residents of the region is welcomed.
The EU and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), are supporting some women’s groups in the shea butter processing industry in the Northern Region.
The initiative seeks to enhance the capacities of shea butter producers in the region and improve their competitiveness globally. The tour by the EU Ambassador and the Chief Technical Advisor to UNIDO, Charles Kwame Sackey, is part of a mission to assess the impact of EU support in the area.
