By Ewoenam Kpodo
Aflao (VR), Nov. 14, GNA – The Ketu South Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has advised youths in the municipality to guard against their exploitation by politicians for violent purposes during the upcoming elections.
Mama Hodzige II, Ketu South Municipal Director, NCCE who gave the caution said allowing oneself to be manipulated into perpetrating violence and harming Ghana’s peace had repercussions including serving a jail term if caught.
Speaking during a voter education engagement held for a group of tradesmen and women at Aflao, she noted that the youth had historically been targets of politicians seeking to further their own interests through violent means, urging them not to yield to such offers.
“I know some young people are vulnerable to exploitation due to various factors. But I will plead with you not to allow any politician to take advantage of you. You need to know that the politicians who will come attempting to recruit you for all the wrong reasons also have children. But they won’t send their children because they know the consequences are dire including imprisonment and loss of life.”
Mama Hodzige highlighted the importance of the youth, the country’s future leaders to strive for responsible citizenship, making conscious effort to be peace-loving, tolerant of opposing views and reject offers from political parties and heads to cause violence.
The engagement which among others sensitised the gathering on the importance of peaceful participation in the elections, what to do or not on the day of the elections, formed part of the Directorate’s ramped up efforts to educate voters ahead of the December 7 elections.
Officials of the Commission has intensified education and outreach programmes, visiting churches, engaging faith-based organisations and women groups with messages on peace, tolerance and civic responsibilities aimed at ensuring peaceful elections in December.
Some participants who spoke to Ghana News Agency after the interaction commended the NCCE for the education saying, the messages were well received.
Madam Christine Tsikata, one of them said, “They met us today to educate us on a number of issues like the voting processes at the polling stations, especially how to handle the ballot papers in order not to spoil them. I have some aged people at home, and I also learnt how I can be of help to them on the election day.”
GNA