Help government combat violent extremism and terrorism - Deputy Chairman, Operations urges Ghanaians

The Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Samuel Asare Akuamoah has urged Ghanaians to help the government’s fight against the spread of violent extremism and terrorism in Ghana.

He said the government was in the known of the entry of some extremist elements in parts of the country, hence the need for the citizens to be on the lookout for such elements and report all suspicious persons to the security.

The Deputy Chairman of the NCCE was speaking in Nanton where a sensitization program was organized for community members as part of the Commission’s Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism project which is funded by the European Union.

Mr. Asare Akuamoah encouraged Ghanaians not to shield members of their families or communities if they are suspicious of their activities, saying that shielding them could be detrimental to the peace and security of their communities.

He said “Your own son or child can get radicalized and once he or she is radicalized, he’s not the same person and so if you want your peace of mind give that person out to the security agencies, so that the whole community will be safe. But if you see the person as a member of your family, you worship at the same mosque, he is a good guy and so you’ll not allow the security agencies to deal with him or you’ll not give information to the security agencies then you’re destroying the community”.

The NCCE Deputy Chairman called on residents to be wary of people who bring goods into their markets to sell at extremely cheap and unrealistically low prices, saying such persons are most likely to be linked with terrorists who come into town to sell off their looted goods.

He urged the police to ensure the identities of their informants are protected, noting that most people do not volunteer information to the police because they claim their identities are usually disclosed by the police.

The Savelugu Municipal Police Commander, Sup Mr Emmanuel Twumasi-Ankrah assured that the police and allied security agencies would always protect the identities of their informants especially as they seek public support towards combating violent extremism and terrorism in the country.

He said Ghana’s northern frontiers remained porous despite the deployment of heavy security personnel to these areas, hence the need for the citizens to help to protect the country’s peace and security.

Participants ranged from chiefs, opinion, and religious leaders, women groups, and the youth.

Source: ghanaweb