Collective efforts are needed to tackle youth extremism

Participants in an NCCE program in the central region

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) called for collective action to counter threats from youth extremism, self-defense and terrorism.

The Commission said violent extremism threatened the peace and stability of nations with protracted conflict and violence, not to mention cruel killings, displacement of people and destruction of property, which ultimately exacerbated tensions.

Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, deputy regional director of the NCCE center, at a public awareness forum in Biriwa, said peaceful coexistence ensures national peace and cohesion.

The program, sponsored by National Security, aimed to educate the public, especially young people, about the devastating effects of secessionism and violent extremism in order to prevent such activities and their dire consequences on national development.

It aims to fight organized crime, promote respect for human rights and the rule of law by providing young people with relevant information on violent extremism and radicalism and to prevent them from being recruited to provoke violence.

The engagement therefore aimed to increase participants’ understanding of peacebuilding and improve their knowledge of community-based mechanisms for countering violent extremism.

Threats to national cohesion, Alhaji Mohammed said, were not only caused by the unguided desire of leaders to gain political office, but by citizens who did not respect the rights of others.

Such practices, in most cases, led to vices, which threatened state sovereignty and endangered national unity, he said.

Alhaji Mohammed noted that peace is an integral part of nation building, as development thrives only in the midst of unity while violence pushes back the clock of progress.

“Let us choose to live in peace because when peace reigns, development is assured. Let us all be bearers of duties by ensuring that there is peace in all situations,” he declared.

Alhaji Mohammed called for intensified education on religious and political tolerance, urging all democratic institutions to sensitize citizens to the need to refrain from abusing their rights and freedoms.

He introduced participants to the National Framework for Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism, mentioning marginalization, youth unemployment, inequalities, discrimination, investments, fear and panic, and denial of rights and rights. civil liberties as some of the causes.

Other push factors that fuel violent extremism include; environmental and socio-economic grievances, said Alhaji Mohammed, and called for transparent leadership, positive character and paying taxes for national growth.

Ms Judith Adomako-Ofosu, Municipal Director of NCCE, said engagement was needed to enable young people to identify red flags of violent extremism and serve as community ambassadors for easy identification of suspicious characters .

She urged all groups, especially religious entities, to prioritize the safety of their members.

Ms Adomako-Ofosu said that although Ghana has not witnessed major terrorist activity, the signs are becoming increasingly visible and urged the public to provide information to security agencies to counter terrorist activity.

She urged everyone to help promote good governance, dissociate themselves from bad companies and help gather information to strengthen security.