Upper East Regional Crime Officer, DSP Edmond Yaw Asante, has emphasized the importance of protecting the youth from being lured into extremist groups to commit crimes in communities. He described the youth as the “oxygen” of every community and highlighted the vulnerability of young people to be manipulated by extremists for their criminal activities.
This call to action was made during a community engagement session with the Police in the Kantia community, Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region. The event was part of a project sponsored by the European Union called “Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE),” organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to promote peace, tolerance, and curb violent extremism and vigilante activities before, during, and after the 2024 general elections.
The dialogue aimed to foster better relations between the security services and community members, diffuse suspicion, and build trust. DSP Asante highlighted the tactics used by extremists to recruit vulnerable youth, urging community members to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the Police.
He cautioned against underestimating the presence of strangers in the community, as their actions can have destructive consequences, impacting the economy, infrastructure, environment, and societal values. DSP Asante encouraged the community to adopt a culture of mediation and engagement to prevent conflicts and deter extremist activities.
Ms. Saadia Baba Sampana, District Director of NCCE, underscored the importance of sensitizing the public about sustainable democracy and the need for close collaboration between the community and the Police. With neighboring countries like Burkina Faso facing extremist threats, she urged community members to report any security concerns to safeguard lives and property.
The event was attended by officials from the Ghana National Fire Service, women, youth, and the Chief of Kantia, Naba Gelkunkuaa Naambire Frank Azaaya, who chaired the program. The engagement highlighted the collective effort needed to combat violent extremism and promote peace and security in the region.
