NCCE calls on youth not to be used as agents of chaos during elections

Gilbert Azim Tirog

Bolgatanga, November 21, GNA – Mr. Omar Jafaru Alsadiq, Bolgatanga Municipal Director, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called on the youth to resist any attempt to be used by politicians to create chaos during the December 7 general elections. .

He said such behavior would not only jeopardize the peace of the country and destroy its democratic gains, but would also create fertile ground for violent extremists to take root and destabilize the country.

Mr Alsadiq made the call as the Commission engaged youth groups from various communities in the municipality, including Yorogo, Nyariga, Kalbeo and Sherigu, as part of the second phase of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) project.

The European Union (EU)-sponsored project is being implemented by NCCE in five regions of northern Ghana and three other adjacent regions, aimed at raising awareness among youth about the dangers of violent extremism and electoral violence, and the importance of peaceful participation in the democratic process.

Engagement also focused on enhancing youth understanding of peacebuilding, social cohesion and community-based mechanisms, including identifying early warning signs and key community-based strategies to counter the proliferation of weapons.

Mr. James Abdoulaye Ayyaala, NCCE Upper East Regional Director, said that due to the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism in neighboring countries, Burkina Faso and Mali inclusive, it is important that youth exercise restraint to prevent the spread of violent extremism . take root.

He noted that Ghana has successfully transferred power from one party to another over the years in 2000, 2008 and 2016 and all stakeholders, especially the youth, should not be drawn into actions that will plunge the country into chaos and limit their chances. reaching your full potential.

Superintendent David N. Nartey, Head of Intelligence, Upper East Regional Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), while delivering a presentation on local mechanisms to counter violent extremism, urged youth to guard themselves from extremist ideology.

According to him, there were some controversial entrepreneurs who profited from the misfortunes of others and the youth, who were mainly targeted for recruitment, should be warned to resist such attempts, he said and urged them to report suspicious characters in their communities to the security authorities. services.

Sheikh Abu Bakr Abdul Rahman, Chairman of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), in a presentation on “Preventing Violent Extremism in Ghana,” said extremists have largely used religion as a tool to brainwash their recruits to wreak havoc and maim their fellow human beings. In the name of going to heaven, therefore, youth must be protected.

“Such attempts are nothing more than serving the interests of extremists,” he said and called on young people to defend peace in the country for the sake of sustainable development.

At the end of the workshop, a joint statement of commitment to peace and security, read by participant Iona Adombila, stated: “By participating in this PCVE youth event, we are committed to strengthening peace in our communities and ensuring violent-free elections.”

PNS