The Guan District office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the European Union (E.U), has ramped up public education initiatives aimed at countering violent extremism, particularly among vulnerable groups such as students.
In a recent engagement session with students of Likpe-Mate Roman Catholic (R.C) Junior High School in the Guan District of the Oti Region, Mr. Abass Uthman, NCCE District Director, emphasized the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting of suspicious activities to lawful agencies. He highlighted the sobering results of a survey conducted by the Commission, revealing that a significant number of participants expressed willingness to encourage family members or friends to join extremist groups. This, Mr Abass warned, poses a serious threat to national peace and security, necessitating heightened education efforts to mitigate the risks.
Acknowledging Ghana's vulnerability to terrorist attacks, Mr Abass urged everyone to remain vigilant and security-conscious at all times. He provided practical advice to the students, urging them to “RUN” if possible, “HIDE” if unable to run, and to alert emergency numbers in the event of an attack or suspicious activity.
Moreover, Mr Abass cautioned against the allure of extremist groups, highlighting the dire consequences of involvement. He emphasized that young adults are often targeted by recruiters due to susceptibility to influence, identity search, and desire for belongingness.
Mr. Richard Akpabu, the Headmaster of Likpe-Mate R.C. Junior High School, commended NCCE for their proactive engagement and urged teachers to prioritize security matters, reporting any suspicious individuals to security agencies promptly.
Similar educational engagements are being conducted by NCCE offices across the Oti Region, including Krachi Nchumuru, Krachi East, Nkwanta North, and Kadjebi Districts. These efforts underscore a collective commitment to safeguarding communities and fostering resilience against violent extremism in the region.
