The West Africa Centre for Counter Extremism (WACCE) has embarked on sensitisation workshops and seminars on inclusive and peaceful electoral participation in four areas in Northern Ghana.

The two-day workshops each in Saboba and Chereponi in the North East and Northern regions of Ghana are intended at ensuring inclusive and peaceful electoral participation in vulnerable areas in the regions.

The workshops are expected to be held in in Bole and Yendi by December 20, 2019.

It is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) of the Canadian High Commission and are targeted at the Aged, Women, Youth, Minority Groups and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who are often excluded from participating in the electoral process through various factors including; intimidation, and absence of support facilities for them.

Both workshops attracted more than 500 participants including; religious leaders, representatives of chiefs and traditional leaders, representatives of minority ethnic groups including; the Fulani, Moshie, Konkomba among others.

"Also included were; members of Dressmakers Association in Chereponi, butchers association and market women".

Mr Mutaru Mumuni, the Executive Director of WACCE addressing the work sessions stressed on the constitutional rights of all qualified citizens to freely participate in the electoral process.

He said, it was an obligation on all citizens to support the rights of others to exercise their voting rights at elections, adding, "let us all support the inclusive and peaceful participation of all in our electoral processes."

Mr Mumuni said, recognising the security challenges of the area, the fears of reigniting of conflicts could make many stay away from elections.

He said the areas were engulfed in a destructive ethnic conflict that had caused significant loss of property and lives.