The Ho West District Office of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) with support from the Ministry of National Security has organized a one day Youth Activists training workshop chaired by Mamaga Ayipey, Queen mother of Abutia Kloe on Wednesday 25th August, 2021 to equip the youth with the basic knowledge on the regulations and skills on violence to enable them participate effectively in nation building at Abutia Kloe.
Mr. Dodji Adjei, the District Director for NCCE in his welcome statement indicated that the purpose of the workshop is to empower the youth to promote the country’s democracy and development through tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
According to him, the activities of extremists group in neighbouring Burkina Faso and the recent reports of armed robberies, communal clashes between a section of the security agencies and civilians, as well as kidnappings, ritual murders and violent activities are a threat to the peace and stability of the country. He added that these violent activities are gaining grounds and if not combated will have a great repercussion in the near future.
In her brief address, Mrs Monica Mamattah, NCCE Finance and Administration Director, Accra, entreated the youth to be an agent of change in their various communities and also urged the participant to share the knowledge gained to others.
The Ho West District Police Commander, DSP Sebastian Maya did a presentation on Grievances Handling Procedures: Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491), Vigilantism and Related Offices Act, 2019 (999) and Alternative Disputes Resolution.
He explained that any person who desires to hold any special event in any public place shall notify the police of his intention not less than 5 days before the date of the special event. The notification shall be in writing and shall specify the place and hour of the special event, the nature of the event, the time of commencement, the proposed routes and destination and propose time of closure.
He also added that Vigilante groups have been disbanded in the country, hence anybody found to be a member of the group will have a minimum of 10 years jail term.
DSP Maya urge the youth not to involve themselves in any violent act that will undermine the peace in the district.
Speaking on the topic: Preventing Violent Extremism in Ghana, Mr. Israel Kpodo, District Director of NFED noted that violent extremism and terrorism pose not just security threats but also to development. He outlined the security strategies to counter and prevent violent extremism in our various communities, among them include community surveillance, awareness creation, signs of radicalization and neighbourhood watch/community patrol.
Mr. Kpodo advised the youth to be vigilant and report any possible recruitment of any Vigilante or terrorism groups in an attempt to radicalize the youth in their communities to the security agencies for appropriate action.
Rev Jacob Ahaligah, the District Pastor of Assemblies of God, Dzolopuita, in his presentation on National Cohesion and Peaceful Coexistence talked on understanding National cohesion, promoting cohesion/unity in Ghana, effects of the absence of National cohesion, causes of disintegration/unity, threats to Ghana’s unity/cohesion and the way forward to have a peaceful country.
He said Ghana is a beacon of peace, so regardless of what differences maybe, let’s remain in Ghana and make it a better place for all.
A short video on violent extremism and terrorism and its effect on a country was shown to the youth. Participants asked questions and they were answered by the resource persons. Participants were also put into groups of four to discuss and present tasks on related issues.