The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) of the Bolgatanga East District has held engagement with students of the Zuarungu Nursing and Midwifery Training College to educate them on early signs of activities of violent extremists and to discourage them from taking part in activities of violent extremists.
Mr. Awal Mohammed of Rise Ghana, and ASI Michael Billson Awarajah of the Ghana Immigration Service, Upper East Regional Office, took turns to expose the students to the mode of operation of assigns of violent extremists. The resource persons highlighted the issues of violent extremism and terrorism in the region.
ASI Michael Billson Awarajah spoke about the influx of militant groups across the neighboring Burkina Faso into some border districts like Bongo and bawku and its impact on the security of the community members and on the total security of the region.
The issues of the proliferation of arms in some communities especially in Bawku was cited as examples of signs of violent extremism. ASI Michael Billson Awarajah, expressed concern about civilians wielding arms which are sometimes used to commit crime.
The immigration officer cautioned the students against the possession of unregistered arms and since the possession of unregistered arms is a crime. He said there are many unregistered small arms in the hands of civilians which is a security concern to the state.
The students were advised to be on the look out for people suspected to terrorist and report them to the security for the necessary action. The students were also advised to exercise restrain with their association with strangers who lavish them with gifts and money since these terrorist and militants are rich and use money to get their target groups.
Public and state institutions have also been advised to secure their premises by installing Closed Circuit Television cameras round their compound and office to help them detect unsuspecting intruders who may want to attack their offices. Same way, schools have been advised to screen students and new staff before admitting them into their schools or place of work since some of these bad elements sometimes disguise themselves and infiltrate the group before eventually carrying out their activities.
Some of the students who spoke on the sidelines of the event were very appreciative of the event and the educative information that the resources shared. Abileo Ayinsongma from Bolga Soe and Dominic Ayariga from Bawku both conceded that prior to the engagement, they had little to no knowledge of how the agents of violent extremists operate but the programme has equipped them with the relevant know to identify suspected extremists.
Engagement With Youth Groups
A week a go, a similar event was held at the conference hall of the Bolgatanga East District Assembly where various youth groups and tradesmen and women were educated on the rise in the activities of violent extremists.
The District Chief Executive of the district, Mr. David Amoah, cautioned the groups to be on the alert and not be allowed to be used by people to foment trouble since the consequences will be dire for the district and the region at large.
The various apprentices were encouraged to concentrate on learning their trade to be self reliant since the agents of violent extremists usually use money to lure their targets.
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com