By Alex Baah Boadi
Sefwi- Wiawso (WNR), Nov. 30, GNA – The Western North Regional branch of the National Peace Council in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has held a two- day stakeholder forum at Sefwi-Wiawso on Electoral Violence and violent Extremism.
Speaking at the opening of the forum, Reverend Samuel Nkuah Boateng, Western North Regional chairperson of the Peace Council said it was imperative to empower the youth as the surest way to end violence in the society.
The Council chair noted that the youth were often both victims and perpetrators of violence and that it was important for them to be given the requisite training and jobs to stop them from engaging in Extremism and Violence.
Reverend Nkuah Boateng, noted with concern that electoral violence in recent years had become a recurring challenge in the region, which manifested in various forms such as intimidation, destruction of property and even loss of life.
He expressed worry that such violent acts not only undermined the credibility of the electoral process but also eroded public trust in democratic institutions.
That, he said, created a cycle of fear and disillusionment, which hindered the country’s progress towards building a strong and inclusive society.
He continued that addressing, such challenges required a multi-stakeholder approach and that the government, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, youth groups and the media all have roles to play in fostering peace and preventing violence.
“We must prioritize education and awareness campaigns to promote a culture of tolerance and dialogue “he stressed.
He also tasked political actors to commit to peaceful campaigns, while security agencies must act impartially and professionally to ensure the safety of all citizens during the election.
He further commended ECOWAS for its initiative in conflict prevention, capacity building and Early warning systems which he believed had yielded positive results, but added there was more to be done.
He pointed out that peace was a shared responsibility and that the future of the region depended on the kind of choices people make today.
Some of the major stakeholders such as the Police, traditional authorities, political parties, NCCE and the Electoral Commission pledged to do their part for incidence free polls.
GNA