By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bawku (U/E), Nov 19, GNA – The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has advised Ghanaian youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause violence in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
Mr Daniel Baya Laar, the Bawku Municipal Director of the Commission, who gave the admonishment urged the youth to remain vigilant to ensure the country remains peaceful even after the election.
“You must be vigilant about the security and contribute your quota to ensuring the country remains peaceful even as the country’s political temperature is heating up to the 2024 general elections.
“You must not allow yourselves to be used by the politicians for their selfish interests,” Mr Laar said this while addressing youth groups from the border towns in the Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region.
It formed part of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) project, being implemented by the Commission in eight regions of Ghana and sponsored by the European Union.
It aimed at raising awareness among young people about the dangers of violent extremism and related conflicts, particularly ahead of Ghana’s elections.
The sensitisation also focused on augmenting the youth’s understanding of peacebuilding mechanisms, social cohesion, community-based mechanisms, including identifying early warning signs, and basic community-based strategies for countering arms proliferation.
Mr Laar said the aim of the engagement is to further imbibe in the youth the sense of patriotism, spirit of civic responsibility and culture of tolerance to counter activities of violent extremists.
According to Mr Laar, violent extremism still posed a significant threat to global security and social cohesion and the youth were mostly the target, especially the marginalised, aggrieved,
the resource poor, and those dissatisfied with the governance and advised the youth not to allow themselves to be recruited to cause trouble.
“So, I advise you to take advantage of the sensitisation exercise to broaden your horizons, harmonise youth strength to boost the democratic discourse through dialogue, collaboration and mutual understanding,” he added.
He educated the youth to be wary of misinformation and disinformation which has the potential of causing disaffection among people or group of people that could lead to chaos and anarchy most especially during this electioneering period and urged them to always verify information before sharing.
Deputy Superintendent of Immigration, Rockson Akanbang, Officer in Charge of the Mognori Border, Ghana Immigration Service, who took the participants through violent extremism and radicalisation, activities of violent extremists continue to increase globally and there was the need for Ghana to prepare to prevent any spillover in Ghana.
“Security is a shared responsibility as no one individual or institution can guarantee security and stability,” he said.
While security agencies have a mandate to ensure security and must be allowed to work, communities equally have a role to play by supporting these and other legitimate agencies through legal means to achieve secure and safe societies.”
Reverend Fr john Kantongi Kanzire, Vice Chairman of the Bawku NCCE Inter-Party Dialogue Committee, said to ensure peace and social cohesion, the various stakeholders needed to work together and called for respect and tolerance.
GNA