NCCE sensitized youth groups on violent extremism at Gambaga

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has sensitized some selected youth groups at Gambaga in the East Mamprusi Municipal of the North East Region, on preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PVCE).

The Commission said Violence and radicalization amongst the youth, have become a major menace to the global community and although anyone could become an extremist, young people were more likely to be susceptible to recruitment into Violent Extremist Groups.

According to the Commission," The 2021 study conducted by the NCCE under the Preventing Electoral Violence and Providing Security to the Northern Boarder Regions of Ghana (NORPREVSEC) project identified the youth as most vulnerable to Violent Extremism.

To deepen their understanding and involvement in the fight against extremist activities, the Commission said: "It was important they were sensitized".

Mr. Abu A. Nassam, the North East Municipal Director of the NCCE revealed this while addressing the youth groups at Gambaga as part of the Commission's quest to Prevent and Contain Violent Extremism through the promotion of Social Cohesion, peace, and tolerance in the Northern Regions.

It formed part of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) project being implemented by the NCCE with funding support from the European Union (EU) and Technical support from the National Security, aimed at preventing and Containing extremist activities.

Mr Nassam cautioned the participants that "the threat to terrorists attacking our communities was real and terrorists can strike anytime and anywhere" adding that counter-terrorism was the defensive measure used to reduce the vulnerability of individuals, information, and facilities to terrorist acts.

Mr. Issah Iddrisu, the Municipal Director of the National Investigations Bureau, presenting on the topic “Preventing Violent Extremism in Ghana” explained that community surveillance served a very important role in checking and Preventing Violent Extremism and urged the participants to be vigilant of the activities in their communities.

He added that setting up a neighborhood watch or community patrol could be impactful and encouraged the participants to take up the challenge in their respective communities.

Reverend Solomon Aguriba, Head Pastor of the Gambaga Assembles of God Church presenting on "Peace Building Mechanism” noted that peacebuilding involved cordial relationships and openness to one another and urged the youth to be open and tolerant of other's views.

The participants by their way of Commitment to eschew Violence and uphold peace issued a communique, read by Mr. Ibrahim Meshanu as “All citizens should take National Security as a collective responsibility”.

Source: newsonlineghana