Bongo: As Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections draw near, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has mobilized political party youth activists in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region to promote political tolerance and peace.
According to Ghana News Agency, the engagement is part of a broader initiative aimed at fortifying the resilience of youth groups against violence and encouraging them to act as peace ambassadors before, during, and after the general elections in December 2024. This initiative is a component of the European Union-sponsored ‘Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) project, which the NCCE is implementing across eight regions in Ghana.
The project seeks to empower the youth with a deeper understanding of electoral violence and the means to build political and ethnic tolerance to foster social cohesion ahead of the 2024 elections. Additionally, it aims to educate the youth on violent extremism activities and how to resist radicalization and recruitm
ent into extremist groups that may destabilize the country.
Ms. Alice Ndego, the Bongo District Director of the NCCE, emphasized the significance of elections as a cornerstone of democracy, where the people’s voice should be clearly heard. She noted the necessity of ensuring the integrity of these elections to satisfy all parties involved. Ms. Ndego highlighted the crucial role the youth play in reflecting democratic values such as peace, unity, and respect for one another.
The District Director elaborated that the youth possess the power to influence attitudes, mobilize communities, and set a leadership example based on dialogue and mutual respect. The engagement sessions are intended to equip the youth with the knowledge and tools to advocate for a peaceful electoral process, discourage violence and intolerance, and promote a culture of civility and respect throughout the election period.
Assistant Superintendent of Immigration, David Asamoah Agyeman of the Ghana Immigration Service, encouraged the youth
to be cautious of misinformation, hate speech, and fake news. He urged them to verify information before sharing and collaborate with security services by providing relevant information on suspicious activities to help combat crime and maintain peace, especially during the elections.
Mr. Maxwell Banu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Teere, a local governance civil society organization, advised the youth against being manipulated by politicians to incite violence before, during, and after the elections.