The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has engaged youth in the Nandom Municipality to instil in them a spirit of patriotism so they can contribute to ensuring that the upcoming election is incidence-free.

As part of the engagement, the young people at the event issued a communique pledging their commitment to promoting peace and a spirit of unity before, during, and after the 2024 elections.

The NCCE organised the engagement with funding support from the European Union (EU) under the “Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) action in Ghana” project to sensitise the youth to the dire legal and social consequences of joining extremist groups.

It was also to remind the youth of their civic responsibility in contributing to maintaining peace in Ghana, inculcate in them inclusive values, social recognition and invoke the spirit of social and community belongingness among the youth.

Mr Issahaque Tivengnang Amgme, the Nandom Municipal Director of the NCCE, encouraged the youth to channel their youthful exuberance into good social courses necessary for their personal and national development rather than engaging in actions that could truncate their long-term visions in life.

“There is a need for you as youth to appreciate the legal framework that prohibits the activities of violent extremist and terrorist groups and to use your energies to promote positive coexistence and to shun violent extremism.

‘This engagement is, therefore, to make you ambassadors of peace by improving your knowledge and attitude towards a culture of tolerance and non-violence,” he explained.

Inspector Enoch Delah of the Ghana Police Service in Nandom and Reverend Dr. Stephen A. Koya, the Chairperson of the Nandom Inter-party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), facilitated the engagement.

Rev. Dr. Koya urged the youth to be mindful of their actions and inactions in engaging in activities towards the election on December 7.

“Go to the Nandom cemetery and see things for yourself and you will realise the importance of peace. Election is not a do-or-die affair, so be circumspect in whatever you do in this election period and beyond,” he indicated.