By Daniel Agbesi Latsu
Agbo Kordzi (O/R), Nov 9, GNA – The Kadjebi District Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the European Union (EU), has engaged youth groups from towns within the Menuso Border Post on violent extremism.
The engagement, which formed part of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) Project being implemented by NCCE, aimed at ensuring the youth’s understanding of the negative consequences of joining violent extremists’ groups and appreciation of the legal framework that barred the activities of violent extremist and terrorist groups.
Speaking at the engagement at Agbo Kordzi, a farming community in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region, Mr. Setriakor Kwesi Gagakuma, the Deputy Oti Regional Director of NCCE, said violent extremism posed a significant threat to global security and societal harmony.
He said the alarming trend was the deliberate targeting and radicalisation of young people by extremist groups and that the issue even became more pronounced during election periods, when political and social tensions were heightened, and the youth were more engaged in political discourse.
Mr. Gagakuma said extremists exploited these heightened tensions, using sophisticated propaganda and recruitment strategies to influence and recruit young individuals, especially on social media.
He said the affected young individuals might not be aware of happenings as radicalisation was a gradual process.
The Deputy Regional said that despite anyone becoming an extremist, young people seeking an identity, purpose, or belonging may be more susceptible to recruitment into violent extremist groups.
“Thus, there is a dire need for civic engagements that foster a sense of unity, belonging, and patriotism in the youth to prevent violence and radicalisation among them during the 2024 elections”, he said.
Speaking on vote-buying, Mr. Gagakuma said the phenomenon was a complex issue that could have significant consequences for the democratic system, so it should be stopped.
Superintendent of Police, Frank Nana Asomaning, the Kadjebi District Police Commander, said the threat of terrorists attacking communities was real as they could strike anytime and anywhere, so there was the need for citizens to be security conscious.
He said Counterterrorism was the defensive measures used to reduce the vulnerability of individuals, information, and facilities to terrorist acts.
Supt. Nana Asomaning, who spoke on: “Triggers and effects of Violent Extremism (VE), awareness of VE at worship centre, market square, lorry stations, workplace”, named perceived marginalisation, poverty, poor governance, corruption, religious fundamentalism, modern technology, among others as some of the triggers of violent extremism.
He called on everyone to be security mindful, be it workplace, market area or worship centre.
Speaking on signs of radicalisation and ways to prevent violent extremism and radicalisation, Supt. Nana Asomaning, mentioned becoming increasingly argumentative, refusing to listen to divergent views, embracing conspiracy theories, sympathetic to extremist ideologies, among others as some of the signs of radicalisation.
He said there was the need to set-up Neighbourhood watchdog or community patrol team collaboration with the Police, build a partnership with the Police on solving problems instead of reacting to crisis and report suspicious activities to the security agencies as some preventive measures.
Mr. Isaac Dzapaye, the Assemblyman for Menuso Electoral Area, commended the NCCE for the programme, which served as a revelation for them on dangers of joining extremists’ groups.
The 65 participants pledged to convey the message to their colleagues on the need to avoid joining extremist groups.
GNA