DBI: NCCE to Youth; Political Party Activist Should Exemplify Tolerance of Divergence Views

In the countdown to the election of 2024, the National Commission for Civic Education is living its mandate by working to create a peaceful electioneering campaign season and peaceful electoral outcomes. It has engaged in a series of engagements, including the inauguration of the inter-party dialogue committee, engagements with young artisans, and now political party youth activists.

The facilitator for the program, a seasoned resource person, Mr. Tahiru Lukman, the Chief Executive Officer of Ideapath Consult, admonished young people to tolerate divergent views. Mr. Tahiru Lukman underscored the importance of democratic dispensation to include the opportunity to evaluate politicians and to renew their mandate or reject them as something that is refreshing.

He explained that in a democracy, the existence of political parties is merely a platform for one to utilize to represent people, and the innovations or wisdom behind political party development is to offer alternatives on how to solve our socio-economic, cultural, and general development interests.

Mr. Tahiru Lukman urged young people to be tolerant of divergent views and not to allow themselves to be exploited by politicians. He urged young people to not allow themselves to be used as guinea pigs to perpetuate violence in the upcoming general elections. Mr. Tahiru Lukman was saddened by the fact that every electoral season the few misshaping have always evolved into young people who are sympathizers or activists of political parties.

He noted that in the upcoming elections, young people should conduct themselves in a manner that no one will die for politicians to enjoy power. Mr. Tahiru Lukman had this to say;
“Politics creates the platform for a healthy rivalry and not the one that will position young people to hate and fight for politicians to enjoy; the reality is that we have been put in the constituency by the view of the geographical landscape and ethnic considerations; if you look at the candidates that are contesting, their background suggests they are one people, and so why will young party supporters clash and fight each other’s when brothers are contesting? That is the beauty of multi-party democracy; we should seek the development of our people and our dear Daffiama Bussie Issa constituency and not personal egos and political infighting.”

The Daffiama Bussie Issa District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Upper West Region, Mr. Abdul Rahaman Osman, praised the young political party activist of the Daffiama Bussie Issa Constituency for being a worthy stakeholder and demonstrating tolerance and law-abiding. He noted with such traits, the DBI constituency will record peaceful electoral outcomes, and this will accumulate to Ghana’s quest to achieve free, fair, and transparent electoral outcomes.

He further emphasized the need for young people to be more tolerant of divergent views to create a healthy atmosphere for peaceful elections in 2024 and beyond.
The Upper West Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, Mr. Victor E. Nuworkpor, who was on a monitoring visit and participated fully in the engagement, also urged political party activists to play by the games of democracy and election.

He particularly mentions tolerance of divergent views and not undermining electoral protocol. Mr. Victor E. Nuworkpor noted that political party activists should be civil in communication and conduct themselves in a manner that will create peaceful coexistence and tolerance in our electioneering campaign process. Mr. Victor E. Nuworkpor further noted that the unhealthy political atmosphere in the West African sub-region and a matter of concern, and Ghana’s democracy, which has been the most stable, is the envy of many, and for that matter, young people must preach and exemplify peace for Ghana to consolidate our democratic credentials.

A noble Rev. Father Francis Vog- Enga and the Chairman of the Daffiama Bussi Issa District inter-party dialogue committee urged young people and party activists to be focused and determined in their personal development and career choices while pursuing their political interests. He urged young party activists and sympathizers not to compromise moral values and waste their lives on the radar of political parties, but rather work towards becoming significant and vibrant while contributing to the interest and development of political parties.

Inspector Apuuse Francis of the Daffiama Bussi Issa District Command of the Ghana Police Service speaking on behalf of the District Police Commander urged young people to be more tolerant and focused in order not to fall victim to the law. He admonished young people to as a matter of election regulations and law, one must not cause troubles on election day or premises or act in a manner that may make him or her a suspect of mishappening. This can lead to such persons being prosecuted.

Participants sought clarifications from the resource persons as well as sharing experiences that provided an opportunity for two-way learning. One sought to understand why politicians will engage in a heated debate as to who initiated a project and who is taking credit for it. The resource persons responded by stating projects are initiated for the good people of Ghana and are for the benefit of Ghanaians. The political orientations are only using such plots to remain relevant in the face of voters.

Forty (40) participants, including political party youth activists, staff of the Daffiama Bussie Issa District directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE). The project was supported by the European Union (EU) dubbed Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) Action in the Northern Regions of Ghana.

Source: upperwestmedia