By Kekeli K. Blamey
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has underscored the need for positive relations and cooperation between the Police service and citizens to combat the infiltration of violent extremist activities. This initiative, the NCCE asserts, is crucial for fostering unity, maintaining law and order, and ensuring community safety.
Mr. Taalar Amatus, the District Officer-In-Charge of the Lambussie NCCE office, made this call during a Police/Community dialogue session held in Billaw, a community in the Lambussie District. The session aimed to build trust, cooperation, and unity among the Police and community members for effective law enforcement and community safety in the district.
The event is part of the NCCE’s activities under the European Union (EU) Supported Programme, “Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE),” an initiative active in the five regions of Northern Ghana. The dialogue session was attended by various stakeholders, including security services, community leaders, and members from groups such as chiefs and elders, queen mothers, landlords, Assembly members, unit committees, security personnel, the media, faith-based organizations, and youth group leaders.
Addressing participants, Mr. Amatus highlighted the looming risk of violent extremism spillover from the Sahel and neighboring countries, noting Ghana’s porous borders and the localized communal, chieftaincy, land, and intra-religious conflicts currently affecting parts of the country. He emphasized the importance of community and police stakeholder dialogue sessions, especially in border areas like the Lambussie District, which shares a boundary with Burkina Faso. Such dialogues are essential for building trust and keeping community members vigilant to curb violent extremism by reporting any suspicious activities to security agencies.
Mr. Amatus urged everyone to heed the national security slogan “If you see something, say something,” by remaining alert and reporting suspicious individuals or groups that may intend to perpetrate violence. He noted that “we are in an election year, and people often use electioneering activities and platforms to incite violence.”
Mr. Alhassan Mohammed, the Lambussie District Police Commander, assured community members that the police are committed to protecting lives and property in the district. He called for collaborative efforts and community cohesion to maintain law and order. “As the District Commander of Police, my doors are open for you to report cases of law offenders so they can be brought to book and enforce the law to prevent violent activities or unlawful behaviors in our communities,” he said.
Mr. Mohammed Abdul Manan, the Hamile Stationed Immigration Commander, highlighted that violent extremist activities and terrorist attacks on Ghana’s immediate neighbors in the Sahel serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat terrorism poses to the country. He assured that the Immigration Service is determined to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of people, goods, and services moving in and out of the district borders.
