Bangkok:Samuel Asare Akuamoah, the Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has emphasized the importance of raising awareness about violent extremism in communities along Ghana's southern borders. This initiative is part of the Commission's post-election education programme aimed at educating residents about the risks of violent extremism and preventing potential spillovers from neighboring countries affected by extremist activities.
According to Ghana Web, Akuamoah highlighted the threat posed by violent extremism in the region during a national-level dialogue. The Commission is committed to preparing communities against possible incidents of extremism. He noted that some of Ghana's neighboring countries have suffered attacks from extremist groups, leading to the destruction of their democratic governance systems.
Akuamoah further explained that the Commission intends to enhance public awareness and bolster community resilience to prevent such threats from extending into Ghana. While much of the work on preventing violent extremism has concentrated on the northern regions, partly due to the interests of development partners, there remains a significant gap in engaging with communities in the south, especially those along the borders.
The national dialogue aims to initiate community engagements in southern border areas, where residents will be informed about the dynamics and dangers of violent extremism. Akuamoah warned against complacency in the post-election period, stressing the need for ongoing public education on security threats even after elections conclude. The Commission believes that continuous community education will enable residents to identify potential threats and develop the resilience necessary to counteract violent extremism.