The Human Security Department of the National Security Council (NSC) has donated a full set of dining hall tables and benches to Hilla Limann Senior High School in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region in a move aimed at enhancing student safety and reducing off-campus movement that could expose students to radical influences.

The donation was presented during a brief but significant ceremony attended by school officials, local authorities, and community leaders.

Mr Hakeem Duweija, Director of Projects at the National Security Council, emphasised that the initiative is part of a broader effort to address security risks facing young people.

“We have identified that inadequate school infrastructure, especially in dining and boarding facilities, creates a gap that extremist groups can exploit," Mr. Duweija stated. "When students are forced to leave school grounds just to find a place to eat, they become vulnerable to outside influences. This donation is meant to help keep them safe, supervised, and focused on their education."

Headmaster Mohammed Bakor Zakaria expressed his deep gratitude, saying the furniture will allow more than 1000 students to have their meals on campus in a safe and orderly setting. “This is more than just furniture,” he said. “It’s an investment in the safety and stability of our students. We now have the means to discourage unnecessary movement and protect our students from potential dangers beyond the school gates.”

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area, Abudu Fusieni Gbene, applauded the National Security Council for recognizing the connection between infrastructure and safety. “This is what real security looks like prevention through smart, practical support. Our students deserve to learn in environments that are not just academically sound, but also secure,” Gbene remarked.

Also present was the Chief of the Traditional Area, Kouro Daniel Limman, who thanked the government and urged the community to support efforts aimed at protecting the youth. “Our young people are our future. It is our duty together with the state to shield them from harmful paths. What we have witnessed today is a clear example of leadership that cares,” the Chief said.

The initiative is part of the NSC’s wider human security framework, which addresses non-traditional security threats by tackling their root causes, such as a lack of infrastructure, neglect, poverty, and social exclusion.

According to Mr. Duweija, similar interventions will be rolled out in other vulnerable school communities across the country. “Security is not just about weapons and walls,” he said. “It’s about creating environments that protect, empower, and guide our youth away from danger. That’s our mission.”