Mr Wilberforce Zangina, the North East Regional Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), has called on students to desist from creating and aiding the spread of fake news ahead of the upcoming December 7, 2024, elections.
He said the elections were crucial given the experience of current hung Parliament and it had ignited the interest of the major political parties to not only focus on the presidential election to form the next government, but to also secure a majority in Parliament to help facilitate the smooth transaction of government business.
“So, anything that will fuel the already tensed political atmosphere must be discouraged to ensure peace in our dear nation”, he added.
The Director made the remarks when he addressed students of the Nalerigu Nursing and Midwifery Training College in Nalerigu in the North East Region.
It formed part of phase-two of the sensitisation of tertiary institutions under the European Union-sponsored project dubbed “Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE)”, being implemented by the NCCE.
The sensitisation aimed to enhance students’ comprehension of peacebuilding strategies, social unity, and community-based approaches to counter violent extremism, including recognising warning signs and fundamental community strategies to combat arms proliferation.
It also sought to equip students with crucial insights on preventing violent extremism and terrorism, empowering them to become positive role models and influencers in their communities while providing them with the knowledge to report any suspicious activities in their surroundings.
Mr Zangina cautioned the students about the dangers of political violence, the influence of money in politics, and the threat posed by misinformation, disinformation, and religious and ethnic intolerance.
He said it was important that the peace of the country was maintained before, during, and after the elections, and the youth must be peace ambassadors in ensuring that this was achieved.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Robert Anabiik, a Staff Officer at the North East Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service, enlightened the students on the issue of violent extremism and its serious implications.
He stressed that violent extremism endangered both individuals and communities, resulting in loss of life, destruction of property, and fractured social ties and urged the students to distance themselves from violent behaviour and instead advocate peace in their communities.
DSP Anabiik pointed out that engaging in violent extremism could jeopardise their future and advised them to employ dialogue and non-violence approaches as means of addressing their grievances, adding that as students, they had the power to contribute to a safer and more united society.
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