By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Navrongo, (U/E), Sept. 6, GNA – Traditional and religious leaders in the Kassena Nankana Municipality and the Builsa South District have lauded the Upper East Regional Peace Council for its effort in the fight against violent extremism in their communities.
The leaders said the Peace Council’s sensitisation of traditional leaders, youth groups, and women on violent extremism had contributed immensely to their alertness on the activities of the violent extremists.
It had also repositioned the communities well to guard themselves against being used by the violent extremists.
The Leaders made the remarks when the Council engaged them in a two-day capacity-building workshop in their respective traditional areas on the Land Act, understanding violent extremism, radicalisation, and its effect on economic activities, to enable them to promote the prevention of violent extremism.
It formed part of the Atlantic Corridor Project being implemented by the Upper East Regional Peace Council with funding support from the governments of Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Australia through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aimed at preventing and responding to violent extremism.
Naba Anambono Ayamga Saa II, the Chief of the Natugnia community in the Kassena Nankana Municipality, said many residents were abreast of the activities of violent extremists due to the effort of the Peace Council.
“For the effort of the Peace Council, almost everyone is now aware of the existence of violent extremists and their habitual operations, and they must be commended,” he said.
Nab Akanaab Apowien, the Chief of Wiesi in the Builsa South District, said the constant engagement by the Peace Council was not only contributing to security consciousness among residents but was also building social cohesion, among the people.
He said, “the peace council has justified its mandate by virtue of its relentless effort on the activities of violent extremists and the need for us to be aware, combat their cruel activities, and live peacefully among ourselves, and we are grateful.”
Mr Collins Kumadoe, a Pastor from the Presbyterian Church in Navrongo, noted that “but for the peace council, many would have been left in the dark on the activities of the violent extremists to be taken by surprise.”
Mr Ali Anankpieng, the Executive Secretary of the Upper East Regional Peace Council, noted that land had become the most common cause of conflict in some of the communities, and getting the chiefs and other community leaders to understand the Land Act would limit most of the conflicts.
He said early warning as a tool was crucial in fighting the activities of violent extremists and the community leaders, having been empowered, were expected to further the education in their communities.
Under the Atlantic Corridor Project, the Peace Council is engaging residents of border communities and security services, students of both tertiary and second cycle institutions in their bid to intensify education on the activities of the violent extremists in the Region.
GNA