Ghanaians have been urged to protect the peace the country is enjoying by reporting any suspected behavior or activities of any person or group that can lead to violent to the appropriate security agency, such as the police.
The call was made by Agona West Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Sakyi Sam at a sensitization meeting in Agona Swedru targeted at the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee of the various political parties, as well as people with disability and women groups, as they are said to be the most vulnerable during situations of violent acts.
The meeting which was organized by the NCCE in collaboration with the National Security Council on the theme: “Violent Extremism-Security and Protection of Peace” was attended by members of the various security services such as the Police, Immigration and the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI).
According to the NCCE Director Mr. Sakyi Sam, the purpose of the meeting is to sensitize the public through the participants of the dangers of violent extremism and its repercussion on the state. This, he said, follows attacks on countries including Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Sudan among others by extremist group like Boko Haram and Al-Qaeeda.
Speaking at the sidelines after the meeting, Mr. Sakyi Sam stressed that the objective of the meeting is to also help put mechanisms in place to check the influx of foreigners into the country who may be infiltrated by these extremist groups.
Though Ghana is touted as one of the most peaceful countries in the world, Mr. Sakyi Sam pointed out that that should not serve as a privilege to sit unconcern about the security of the state. But despite this record, the country has witnessed some pockets of violent acts, particularly during elections, though these acts did not generated into situations that could be classified as extremism.