REMEMBER THAT IN VIOLENT CONFLICT, THERE IS NO WINNER -NCCE URGES YOUTH

The Garu National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) of the Upper East Region engaged youth groups as part of planned activities under the European Union (EU) supported PCVE project.

The District Director, Mr Akolgo Samuel explained that this engagement with the youth groups is aimed at ensuring that the youth understand the negative consequences of joining violent extremist groups and appreciate the legal framework that bars the activities of such groups in Ghana. He urged the youth to shun this menace by promoting of social cohesion, peace, and tolerance.

Mr. Akolgo highlighted the threats the country may face if the youth, who are in a quest for a sense of identity, purpose, or belonging are recruited into extremist groups. He opined that religious convictions, political ideologies, and prejudices against certain ethnic groups, could serve as drivers of radicalization.

The District Chief Executive of the Garu District Assembly, Hon. Osman Musah, in his opening remarks, stated that the most important things for a nation are the peace and safety of its people and its territorial integrity. Violent, extremist activities and terrorist attacks across some African countries, especially in some of our immediate neighbours in the Sahel, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Mali serve as a continued reminder of the threat that terrorism poses, both to our people and to our way of life. He said, “I made a solemn promise to the youth that government will take the necessary measures to preserve their safety and security. We recognise that we must prevent and combat violent extremist groups and terrorists who threaten the security of our country, and protect our national interests from such attacks”. He encouraged the youth to work together with state and non-state actors to be properly prepared to prevent and counter any form of terrorism on our shores.

The Garu District Police Commander, Supt. Daniel Yaro discussed community surveillance, awareness creation at worship centres, possible signs of radicalization, neighbourhood watch/community patrol, and what to do during an attack.

The former Presbyterian Agric Station (PAS) Manager, Mr. Solomom Atigah, schooled the youth on; the concept of peace, peacebuilding, national architecture for peace, national cohesion, and factors that promote cohesion. We can help build a Ghana that is coherent, peaceful and, harmonious through what we believe and do. Our families and communities can be centres for development and progress if we choose to go with the way of peace.

Remember that in violent conflict, there is no winner. Both parties in a violent conflict are losers. In the political sphere, remember that we are opponents and not enemies. Political parties only provide us with alternatives. It is neither an issue of “all die be die” nor a “do or die” affair.

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Mrs Joyce Afutu and, Deputy Regional Director of Upper East Region, Mr Akugri Augustine, participated.

Considering the dangers of indoctrination, the group pledged to prevent violent extremism in their respective communities.

All the youth in the Garu Constituency have agreed to promote peaceful coexistence through dialogue and to settle disputes amicably.
Whatever we learned here will enable us to identify violent extremism activities in our communities and we are ready to report to relevant agencies.
We accept that it is every citizen’s duty/business to secure Ghana.
We have agreed to join the neighbourhood Watch Committee to secure our communities.
We have agreed to watch out for suspicious characters who are not known in our communities and report them to lawful agencies or our community leaders.
We have agreed to share the emergency numbers with our community members; Police (191), Fire Service (192), Emergency contact (112) and national security (999).