The National Commission for Civic Education directorate of West Gonja Municipal Assembly in the Savannah region of Ghana has on Friday 24th September, 2021, successfully engaged youth groups, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders on violence extremism and how it can be controlled.
Mr Issaka Zito, the Savannah Regional director of the NCCE in a welcome address, expressed gratitude to the youth groups, religious and traditional leaders, and the public for their contributions towards maintaining the peace we enjoy in the county. The excited NCCE boss said the 1992 constitution of Ghana has given equal opportunities to all Ghanaians to practice democracy and that we must all practice same with decorum.
He emphasized that in eminence with 1992 Constitution the people of Ghana have subscribed to the tenace and the practice of democratic governance and thereby ensuring peace through the right to exercise political view on who should lead them.
According to him, political control entails three (3) things; participatory, ideals and behavioral patterns. So citizens are capable of choosing who leads them, participate in and must exhibit good behavior in the governance process.
Violence extremism is something that is deeply threatening the peace of Africa continent.
Issaka Zito explained that violence extremism, is a form of extremism that condones and enacts violence with ideological or deliberate intent, such as religious or political violence. Violent extremist views can manifest in connection with a range of issues, including politics, religion and gender relations. He called on government of Ghana to as a matter of concern roll out public measures towards curtailing the act.
“Ghana has a long history of democratic governance, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. However, global threats on
violence extremism, terrorism on the African continent is a subject matter for debate. It has become necessary for government of Ghana to clearly outline principles, measures and artitecture that will drive the response efforts to violence extremism and terrorism in Ghana”.
Such principles could include education and awareness creation aimed at educating and creating awareness of negative effects of violence extremism and why we should deny anything about violence extremism and terrorism in Ghana.
Issaka Zito added that we heard and watched on national television violence extremist and terrorism in other countries like Nigeria, Burkina Faso, USA’s September 11 attack and others however, Ghana has sustained peace for sometime now and looking at what is happening in other countries Ghana, is enjoying peace as compared to them, but regardless we also have our own challenges with regards to political violence like what happened in Atiwa in the Eastern region in 2009, Cherpony in 2009, Talansi in the Upper East region in 2015 and Ayawaso West Wagon 2019.
Director Zito appealed to the participants to report acts of people they suspect can lead to the destruction of our communities and the country, and not allow themselves to be recruited to champion activities of violence extremism and or, terrorism.
Other speakers for program include A.F. Umar, the regional director, CHRAJ, West Gonja municipal Police Commander John Hassle and Pastor Samuel Dinkere, Youth President.
They all admonished the youth groups and public to uphold and defend the constitution of Ghana.
A video on Violence extremism was shown and participants share their views after watching.
The program was held place at the RCC conference hall, Damongo, and was chairman by Mr John Osman Mahama the Deputy Coordinating Director for West Gonja municipal assembly.
