NCCE urges youth to be vigilant about terrorism

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Upper West Region has urged the youth to be vigilant about the increased violence and terrorism in neighbouring countries in order to prevent unexpected attacks at home.

The youth who were brought together at a day’s workshop held in Wechaiu in the Wa West District as part of efforts to create awareness on terrorism in neighbouring countries were also asked to be wary of people who sought to foment trouble.

The participants were members of a team that was constituted by the NCCE to implement a project dubbed “Preventing Electoral Violence and Providing Security to the Northern Border regions of Ghana”.

Addressing the participants, the District Officer for the Commission, Mr Mumuni Nurideen charged that youth to be extra vigilant in the face of threatening terrorist attacks on the area as a result of the district’s proximity to Burkina Faso which had suffered some attacks recently.

He explained that the workshop would be carried out in all 16 regions of Ghana with funding from the European Union and aimed at creating awareness among residents on the increase in violent incidents in neighbouring countries and also encourage them to be on the lookout for suspected characters in their respective communities.

Mr Nurideen urged the participants to develop joint and participatory strategies in their communities together with civil societies in order to protect community members from getting recruited by terrorist groups.

“We also want our participants to work together with community leaders to support confidence-building measures at the community level by providing appropriate platforms for dialogue as well as early identification of grievances to prevent the emergence of violent extremism”, he said.

Mr Nurideenen urged the clergy to be part of the awareness creation about vigilance and the need to be circumspect around new converts and philanthropists.

He added a call on market women and traders to be wary of suspicious movement of people within business centres and promptly report to the appropriate quarters for immediate action.

The Wechiau District Pastor of the Church of Pentecost, Reverend Alfred Assih said peacebuilding aimed at addressing underlying causes of conflict, help people to resolve their differences peacefully, and lay a foundation to prevent future violence through negotiations.

He stressed that participatory processes were eminent for the attainment of peace building stating emphatically the need to involve the poor and marginalised groups in negotiation processes.

“As future leaders of our nation, I urge you all to collaborate with the state security services by providing them with valuable and timely information to deal with miscreants in our communities when you suspect their movement and actions”, Rev. Assih stated.

Also present at the meeting were the District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alexander Tang and the Regional Director for the NCCE, Madam Patience Sally Kumah.