The Builsa North Municipal Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Upper East Region has engaged the youth of political parties in the Municipality on peace and tolerance.
This initiative, sponsored by the European Union, aims to promote peace before, during, and after the 2024 general elections.
It is also aimed to improve their knowledge and attitude on the culture of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and non-violent behaviours.
The engagement formed part of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) project being implemented by the NCCE.
The meeting brought together participants from different political parties and youth groups to emphasize the vital role of youth in fostering peace, peaceful coexistence, and inter-faith tolerance.
Speaking at the programme, Mr Jeffery Adda, the Builsa North Director, NCCE, said Terrorism and violent extremism remained a major security threat confronting countries across the continent, Africa, and the West African Sub-Region.
According to Mr Adda
One of the most noticeable and newest threat to Ghana’s development is Violent Extremism, based on that, the European Union selected violent extremism as one of the areas to support.
“The engagements will inculcate in the youth, the spirit of patriotism, and the awareness of civic responsibilities, inclusive values, and social recognition and invoke a sense of belonging to their own immediate communities” he said.
He added the engagements will also improve the participants knowledge and attitude on the culture of tolerance and non-violence to become Ambassadors for Peace especially during this elections year.
He noted that the aime of this action is to tap into the energies of the youth and use it positively to promote peaceful coexistence and shun violent extremism in Ghana.
Mr David Angaamba a staff with National Peace Council who facilitated the workshop, stated that aside the need for a peaceful election, violent extremism had also been a major concern to the country due to extremist activities in the Sahel region and its proximity to Ghana.
He said it was important for young people to understand the extent of violent extremism and the signs of online radicalisation to mitigate the increasing threat of extremism and radicalisation of the Ghanaian youth.
He has appealed to political party supporters and leaders to refrain from resorting to violence in the upcoming general elections.
He urged the general public especially the youth to avoid engaging in any activities that could incite violence during the upcoming elections.
According to him, it is important to maintain a peaceful political atmosphere and urged all politicians to prioritize the safety and well-being of Ghanaians
He called on Landlords to be mindful of the kind of tenants they accommodate in their respective houses to avoid possibly accommodating of criminals .
ASP Joseph Tabiri , the Builsa North Municipal Police Commander encouraged the youth to channel their youthful exuberance into good social courses necessary for their personal and national development rather than engaging in actions that could truncate their long-term visions in life.
ASP Tabiri urged the youth to be mindful of their actions and inactions in engaging in activities towards the election on December 7th general elections.
He appealed to Ghanaians to learn to respect each other’s ideology, tolerate various ethnic orientations, and have regard for the political views of others as a unified body with a common destiny.
