NCCE Deputy Chairman stresses need to tackle violent extremism on southern borders

NCCE Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, Samuel Asare Akuamoah, has called for increased awareness of violent extremism in Ghana’s southern border communities.

The initiative forms part of the Commission’s post-election education programme, which seeks to educate residents on the dangers of violent extremism and prevent potential spillovers from neighbouring countries affected by extremist groups.

Asare Akuamoah, speaking during a national-level dialogue, said the Commission was concerned about the threat posed by violent extremism in the region and the need to prepare communities against possible incidents.

“In fact, it's part of our election education programme, but this is for the post-election period. And for the post-election environment,” Asare Akuamoah said.

He noted that some neighbouring countries had experienced attacks by violent extremist groups, with some suffering the destruction of their democratic governance systems.

According to him, the Commission intends to increase public awareness and strengthen community resilience to prevent such threats from spreading into Ghana.

He observed that much of the work on preventing violent extremism had focused on the northern parts of the country, partly because of the interests of development partners supporting such interventions.

He, however, said there was a gap in engagement with communities in the south, particularly those along the country’s borders.

“It appears that with the deployment of technology for everything in this country, there seems to be a gap between the northern and the southern communities,” he stated.

The national-level dialogue is expected to set the stage for community engagements in southern border areas, where residents will be sensitised to the dynamics and dangers of violent extremism.

The officer also cautioned against complacency in the post-election period, stressing that public education on security threats should continue even after national elections have ended.

“This is the time when people's complacency can set in, because nobody thinks about elections, because elections are over,” the officer said.

The Commission believes that sustained community education will help residents recognise potential threats and build the resilience needed to guard against violent extremism.

NA/VPO