The youth, who represented identifiable groups including Persons living with Disabilities (PwDs), youth in vocational trade and artisanal works, young graduates from academic institutions, and assembly members, declared their commitment to peace in a communique during a one-day engagement in Wechiau.

The Wa West District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) organised the engagement to solicit the youth’s commitment to ensuring peace before, during and after the Election 2024.

It was part of the implementation of the European Union (EU)-funded "Preventing and Containing Violence Extremism (PCVE) action in Ghana” project being implemented by the NCCE.

In the communique, the youth observed that peace was a fundamental prerequisite for Ghana’s development and consolidation of the country’s democratic credentials.

They, therefore, affirmed their commitment to maintaining a peaceful electioneering campaign process, to be ambassadors of peace and work towards consolidating Ghana’s democratic credentials and striving to preach peace among others.

Speaking at the event, Madam Esther Suglo, the Wa West District Director of NCCE, said the engagement was part of the NCCE’s mandate to educate and sensitise the citizens on the importance of actively participating in the election devoid of violence.

She also sensitised the participants to the dangers associated with extremist activities, their threat to Ghana’s peace and the need for them to take actions to prevent the infiltration of those activities into the country. 

Madam Suglo said: “Ghana is the only nation in the sub-region that has not been attacked by extremist groups even though we have our challenges such as high youth unemployment, underemployment, poverty and local disputes.”

Mr. John Yirbile, the Deputy Upper West Regional Director of the NCCE, urged young people to embrace tolerance and the spirit of patriotism at all times, especially in this critical period of electioneering.

He said radicalisation had a direct relationship with violence extremism and that undermined cohesion, national unity and social structures.

Mr. Yirbile urged young people not to front their political or religious ideologies to the detriment of the nation’s peace.

Mr. Tahiru Lukman, the Chief Executive Officer of IDEAPATH Consult in Wa, who was a facilitator of the forum, urged young people to exemplify tolerance and a sense of belongingness as that was critical to maintaining the nation’s peace.

He indicated that political vigilantism had been outlawed in Ghana and young people should not allow themselves to be used to foment trouble in this election campaign season as Ghana was noted for its peaceful transition of power over the years.