NCCE engages Inter-Party Dialogue Committee on Peace, Tolerance, Violent Extremism and Vigilantism

The Sene East district office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Bono East region under the auspices of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee has engaged political parties and other stakeholders on peace, tolerance, countering violent extremism and vigilantism in Kajaji.

Welcoming participants to the programme sponsored by the European Union, the Sene East district director of the Commission Mr. Frank Dzakpasu said the meeting was aimed at averting violent extremism, promoting peaceful co-existence and national cohesion in the run-up to the December general elections and beyond.

Speaking on the topics: "Monitoring and Reporting Threats and Vulnerabilities to Violent Extremism and Ways to detect youth Radicalization and Signs of Recruitment," Mr. Dzakpasu said suspected individuals and groups suddenly become increasingly argumentative on issues concerning extremism and refuse to listen to or accept dissenting views on such matters.

He added that such persons tend to embrace conspiracy theories and normally harbor the feeling of being persecuted.

He also touched on the tendency for such individuals and groups to be secretive about their activities and become sympathetic to the course of extremist groups and ideas.

Mr. Jakpasu therefore called on the committee to report suspected individuals and groups to the National Security using the dedicated 999 number or to the police short code 191 and other security agencies as well as local authorities.

On mediation and resolution of local conflicts, Mr. Dzakpasu encouraged political parties to report such misunderstandings to the committee, the police and the traditional authorities for a peaceful resolution.

In a contribution, the vice chairman of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee, Pastor Sedem Hillary, recounted the IPDC's role in ensuring a peaceful general election in the constituency in 2020. He spoke specifically of the committee’s role with the support of the traditional authorities in closing down two party-owned information centers at Kajaji which activities tended to foment trouble in the run-up to the elections.

Mr. Edimuyor Bismarck, the returning officer at the district office of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, briefed the meeting on his outfit's activities in terms of preparation for the 2024 general elections.

The Presiding Member for Sene East district assembly Mr. Obinti Rockson called on political parties and candidates to focus their campaign messages on party policies devoid of insults and attacks on their opponents to ensure peace in the run-up to the elections.

Members of the IPDC pledged their support to peace, tolerance and the fight against violent extremism and vigilantism before, during and after 2024 general elections.

Participants which included youth and women groups, the police, traditional authorities, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, people living with disabilities and the media asked questions and made suggestions towards peaceful elections in December.