National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) District Director for Nabdam, Joachim Elbazar, has emphasized that any form of violence is detrimental to sustainable development and should not be promoted.
Mr Elbazar highlights the negative consequences of violence witnessed in neighboring countries, including food shortages, property destruction, and the maiming of energetic youth.
He underscores the vulnerability of youth to recruitment by violent extremists and emphasizes the importance of providing them with relevant information to deter them from engaging in such activities.
Elbazar made these remarks while addressing residents of Zanlerig-Gane during a community cinema event, part of the European Union-funded project named Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PVCE).
The project, implemented in eight border regions of Ghana, focuses on creating awareness about violent extremism, conducting public education, and fostering security consciousness, social inclusiveness, community cohesion, and situational awareness among citizens.
Rebecca Colecraft, Assistant District Director of NCCE, echoes the sentiment, urging residents to refrain from activities that could jeopardize the peace of the country.
“I want to encourage the youth that yes, things don’t look too good now, but we can only make this place better if we are together and decide to make it better by protecting one another and being each other`s keeper.
“The extremists have nothing to lose because they have no family or property here, but it is our loved ones and property that we would lose in the end, so, everyone should stay focused and be guarded,” she stated.
Rebecca Colecraft emphasized that violence in any form has never contributed to the development of any nation. She urged residents to remain vigilant and encouraged them to report anything suspicious, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in maintaining peace and security.
Mrs Naomi Denzabre, a resident, commenting on the videos, said, “This video is a great lesson to all of us and would eventually humble those who find pride in saying if it is war, we will fight, it clearly exposed our ignorance about war and its devastating effect.
“This has reaffirmed why we need peace as a country and must live in harmony regardless of our economic woes because there is no wealth in fighting ourselves”.