The District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Bole Madam Konlan Margaret has urged Ghanaians to inculcate in themselves peace building mechanisms to ensure sustained development and economic growth.
“Peace and tolerance are good human and Ghanaian cultural values that propel growth within communities and the country at large and all stakeholders need to view peace building as a shared responsibility and work towards maintaining it to prevent the infiltration of violent extremists and terrorists”.
She made the call at Bole at an engagement with members of the Interparty Dialogue Committee (IPDC) as part of efforts to contribute to preventing electoral violence and providing security .
Ghana has an enviable record of peaceful transition of political power and as result there is the dire need to deepen and consolidate these democratic tenets and credentials.
It is in this regard that the Commission formed and inaugurated Interparty Dialogue Committees (IPDCs) in 2004 all over the constituencies in the country.
The Committee is made up all registered political parties existing at the regional and constituency levels, Faith Based Organizations, Civil Society/ Community Based Organizations, Independent Governance Institutions, the Secretaries and Chairmen of the political parties at the various levels and Security Services.
The IPDCs act as a buffer zone in the constituencies to stem the tide of unnecessary suspicions and anxiety among political parties.
It is a unifying body which can promote peace and resolve conflicts before, during and after the 2024 general elections in order to enhance political, economic and social progress and stability.
In addition to the conflict transformation and dialogue function, the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee , shall also help monitor and report cases of breach of rules and regulations relating to the conduct of the elections and the maintenance of public order.
The event which brought together party functionaries, traditional and religious leaders, assembly members, youth groups, women groups among others had financial sponsorship from the European Union (EU).
The District Director said members of the IPDC ought to be ambassadors of peace and educate the youth on the signals of activities of terrorism and extremism to ensure that they were not recruited to perpetuate violence.
“As patriotic citizens, it is incumbent on us to have community based mechanisms for countering violent extremism by reporting early warning signs to the law enforcement agencies,” she said.
Madam Konlan advised residents to take personal security seriously and report any suspicious characters to the security agencies for prompt investigation and action.
Dr Victor Brobbey, the Deputy National Director of the NCCE incharge of Finance and Administration said it was only when there was peace that Ghana could effectively fight violent extremism which he described as the “common enemy”.
He said security in Ghana must be prioritized before, during and after the 2024 elections.
He said Ghana had enjoyed relative peace over the years, but should not take its security for granted.
Source: yagbonradioonline
