As part of the activities that aim at promoting peace and eliminating violence, the office of the Savannah Regional peace council, on the 13th of November 2024, embarked on a sensitizing programme in the Bole Municipality.
The said programme’s primary goal was to get the target audience sensitized and more enlighten on activities that breed violence in border communities and also expose us to extremists.
Speaking to all present, the chairperson for the Regional Peace Council, Reverend Father Lazarus Annyereh, gave a comprehensive submission relating to the programme which purposely targets women.
In his submission, he highlighted some of the roles that women play in sustaining violent extremist groups which included women becoming perpetrators, women becoming victims that extend a helping hand to extremists, women becoming recruiters for extremists groups, women becoming propagandists to spread the ideas of radicalization and many others.
He advised women to avoid hate speeches especially on their children, monitor their children properly, have interest in their children’s day-to-day activities and also to avoid taking gifts or money from their children when they know nothing about them.
He futher educated the audience on some of the ways in which people (especially women) get radicalized.
They included indoctrination, brainwashing, hypnosis, propaganda, and as well as their exposure to sermons, messages, write-ups and videos online.
He also highlighted some of the early warning signs of violent activities which included physical indicators like withdrawal of people from communities, destruction of properties, decline in attendance during social gatherings and many others.
Psychological indicators like constant threats on security forces and opponents, wide spread fear and panic in voters and threats to life through emails, text messages and phone calls were also spotted.
Religious and cultural indicators like tribalism and religious discrimination were never left out. Other indicators of violent extremism included unidentified groups in a community, people sitting at strange places at night, abusive songs and destruction of sign posts in our communities.
He urged everyone not to hesitate to report any of these cases to the right peace-keeping councils or make use of the toll free contacts of the security agencies.
He finally mentioned that, the ultimate goal of the programme had the function to enhance prevention, mitigation and preparedness when it comes to dealing with violent extremism in our communities.
The Bole Municipal Director for NCCE, Madam Magret A. Konlan, graced the programme with comprehensive statistics on violent extremism from the previous years.
She emphasized on the need for everyone to be watchful so as to prevent extremists from having access to our communities which will invite brutalization in return.
Conclusively, the executive secretary for the Regional peace council, Mr.Kennedy Atiibu, presented on an overview of violent extremism.
Individual contributions were futher accommodated from the audience on anything that has to do with violent extremism and as well as peace in our communities.
Source: yagbonradioonline/Seidu Salima
