The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Sissala East Municipality has taken a proactive step towards promoting peace and stability in the region. In a bid to prevent and contain violent extremism, the NCCE organized a training workshop for political party youth activists.

Held in Tumu on November 20, 2024, the workshop aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and counter extremist ideologies. With Ghana's 2024 elections looming, this timely intervention seeks to ensure peaceful political discourse and prevent the spread of violence among youth.

The training, which brought together over 50 youth activists from various political parties, focused on understanding the concepts of violent extremism, its causes, and its consequences.

Participants were also educated on the role of youth in preventing extremism and promoting peace. In addition, they were trained to identify misinformation and disinformation.

According to Eliasu Hussein, Director of the Sissala East National Commission for Civic Education, with the happenings across the Sahel region, where extremists are attacking communities, Ghana as a country stands to be a target. Therefore, security measures and community sensitization should be amplified to educate the population on how to identify extremists.

Eliasu highlighted that with the rising rates of unemployment, community demands for social and developmental projects, and the vulnerabilities of youth to opportunities presented by extremism, the skills and capacity of young people need to be strengthened, especially political party activists, as the country prepares to go to the polls in December.

"The youth are vulnerable to radicalization, and we must empower them with the knowledge to resist extremist ideologies," said Eliasu Hussein, Sissala East Municipal Director of the NCCE.

Abraham Sigenye, a Program Officer at Action for Sustainable Development, emphasized the crucial role young people must play in promoting peace and unity in the country. Speaking at the event, Sigenye stressed that youth must take ownership of organizing initiatives that foster national cohesion and stability.

"Young people are the backbone of our nation, and they must take charge of promoting peace and unity," Sigenye said. "We must recognize the potential of our youth to drive positive change and provide them with the necessary support and resources to do so."

Sigenye highlighted the importance of youth-led initiatives in addressing the root causes of conflict and promoting inclusive development.
He encouraged young people to engage in constructive dialogue, build bridges across cultural and ethnic divides, and develop innovative solutions to pressing social and economic challenges.

"By empowering our youth to become peacebuilders and change-makers, we can create a brighter future for our nation," Sigenye concluded. "Let us harness the energy, creativity, and idealism of our young people to build a more just, peaceful, and prosperous society for all.”

Citizens are urged to report suspicious activities to the authorities and engage in constructive dialogue to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies. The NCCE encourages community leaders, youth groups, and civil society organizations to collaborate in promoting peace and stability.