By Albert Futukpor
Savelugu (N/R), Nov 10, GNA – The Savelugu Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged some youth groups in the area on violent extremism and peaceful coexistence.
The day’s engagement, held at Savelugu, was to ensure that the youth understood the negative consequences of joining violent extremist groups as well as to appreciate the legal framework that barred the activities of violent extremist and terrorist groups in the country.
It was also to educate the public on identifying and countering false or provocative information that could undermine the electoral process, especially as the country approached this year’s elections.
The youth groups engaged included political parties’ youth wings, faith-based youth groups, people living with disabilities, Savelugu youth groups, and weavers and tailors youth groups.
Topics discussed included peaceful coexistence and inter-faith tolerance, triggers and effects of violent extremism, awareness of violent extremism at worship centers, workplaces, markets and lorry stations, online radicalisation, misinformation and disinformation, ways to resist and withstand the appeal of terrorism, and what to do during violent attacks.
Mr Jibreel Alhassan, Savelugu Municipal Director of NCCE, addressing participants, spoke against misinformation and disinformation, especially on social media and urged the youth to desist from such act as it was punishable by law.
He urged community members to verify information, especially on social media before reacting so as not to create chaos in the community.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Fuseini Wahabu, from the Savelugu Police Station, emphasised need for collaboration between the security services and members of the public to help in fighting crime.
ASP Wahabu urged the participants to be alert in their communities to gather intelligence about suspected crimes and report them to the Police to act on them.
Participants pledged to observe the electoral rules to ensure peace before, during and after this year’s general election.
GNA