The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) organized an inter-party dialogue to promote unity and ensure a peaceful electoral process in the Damongo Constituency of the Savannah region. The dialogue took place on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, with support from the European Union (EU) under the “Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE)” initiative, ahead of the 2024 December elections.
Mohammed Ibrahim, the West Gonja Municipal director of NCCE noted that Violent Extremism and Terrorism continue to remain a serious challenge for the preservation of democratic governance which is essential for peace, prosperity, and safety in the country and the sub-region at large. Terrorism and other forms of violence including violent extremism have the potential to derail the democratic gains Ghana has made as the country prepares for a very crucial election in less than a year, it becomes imperative that steps are taken to prevent the use of the electioneering activities and platforms to perpetuate violence either by internal or external forces.
Ghana has conducted successful presidential and parliamentary elections and peaceful transition and transfer of political power from governing party to an opposition party in the years 2000, 2008, 2016 with peace, he emphasized.
He added “even though Ghanaians have continued to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution, the Rule of Law, free, vibrant, and liberalized media landscape, and the promotion of democracy in general, the country cannot afford to lose guard at this crucial moment”.
He argued that any challenges to democracy in this year’s elections could have a negative effect.
“Conversely, any setbacks to democracy in Ghana’s 2024 elections could have a negative ripple effect. Potentially emboldening anti-democratic forces in the sub-region and entire African continent. It is therefore, critical for actions to be undertaking to address the rising threat of violent extremism that poses a significant threat to the stability and security of Ghana “.
The dialogue brought together various political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, and local authorities to discuss strategies for promoting peace before, during, and after 2024 elections.
The dialogue was the second phase of the IPDC dialogue on peace, tolerance, and countering violent extremism and vigilantism.
The Savannah Regional NCCE director, Isaka Zitor appealed to all stakeholders to monitor and report threats and vulnerabilities to Violent Extremism to the security services. He urged the media to uphold the ethics of the profession and work towards promoting peace before, during and after elections.
He noted the NCCE’s four (4) key pillars that are driving civic engagements for the 2024 general elections.
The four pillars include misinformation (fake news), religious and ethnic tolerance, money in politics (vote buying), and election violence.
“I therefore, entreat all citizens to promote peace in all endeavors and urge electorates not sell their votes for money”, he stressed.
The chairperson for the program was Bombowurchea Memunatu Gaddo (Secretary of the Savannah regional Queen Mothers platform). Other high profile stakeholders were ASP Charles Aniagyei (Municipal police commander), LF Richard Ahwiren (Municipal Fire commander), Detective Police Woman Inspector Veronica Perosa Ofosu.
ASP Charles Aniagyei urged citizens to embrace peace and unity and also adopt the acts of seeking forgiveness when one commits a wrong against the other. And assured that the police are available for all and will do everything within the remit of the Constitution to protect lives and properties.
Bombowurchea Memunatu Gaddo, the chairperson of the program appealed to radio stations and the youth to embrace peace and desist from acts that could lead the area into Violent Extremism.
Participants contributed to the dialogue and appealed to the EC and security agencies to work as state institutions and not party institutions. They further appealed to radio stations, political actors, citizenry to talk and walk peace.
Abdulai Zulkaninu – zulqanoah16@gmail.com
