NCCE urges police, citizens to jointly fight violent extremist activities
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCC) has called on the Ghana Police Service and citizens to collectively fight the infiltration of violent extremist activities in the country.
This, the NCCE said, would foster unity, maintain law and order and community safety.
Mr Taalar Amatus, the Officer-in-Charge of the Lambussie District NCCE, made the call during a police/community dialogue, held in Billaw, in the Lambussie District.
The event was to build trust, cooperation and unity among the police and members of the community for effective law enforcement and safety in the district.
It formed part of the NCCE’s activities under the European Union (EU) programme, “Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE),” in the North East, Upper West, Upper East, Savanna and Northern regions.
The dialogue was attended by personnel of security services, traditional rulers, landlords, assembly members and unit committee members, journalists, faith-based organisations, youth group leaders, among others.
Mr Amatus, said Ghana was facing the looming risk of violent extremism spillover from the Sahel and neighbouring countries with its borders remaining porous and parts of Ghana currently experiencing localised communal, chieftaincy, land, and intra-religious conflicts.
He said the Lambussie District shared border with Burkina Faso and it was imperative to organise stakeholders’ dialogue, to help build trust and keep community members vigilant on security issues.
Mr Amatus urged the people to abide by the national security slogan “if you see something say something” by reporting suspicious individuals or groups who will likely perpetuate violence to the security agencies.
He cautioned that “we are in an election year, and people will use electioneering and political platforms to perpetuate violence.”
Mr Alhassan Mohammed, the Lambussie District Police Commander, assured that the police were ready to protect and safeguard life and properties and called for collaborative efforts and community cohesion to maintain law and order.
“I want to assure you that as the District Commander of police, my doors are open to you to report cases of law offenders to be brought to book and enforce the law to avert violence activities or unlawful behaviours in our communities,” he said.
Mr Mohammed Abdul Manan, the Hamile Immigration Commander, noted that violent extremist activities and terrorist attacks on the immediate neighbours of Ghana and the Sahel served as a reminder of the continuous threat that terrorism posed to the country.
He assured that the Immigration Service was determined to take the necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of people, goods, and services. — GN
