The Wa West District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education has organized a day engagement with the District’s Inter-party Dialogue Committee.

The saw Mr. Tahiru Lukman, a seasoned Development Consult and Security Advocate admonished members of the committee to exemplify tolerance and cohesion. Mr. Tahiru Lukman was innovative in his presentations as he shared lived experiences happening in the Ivory Coast, South Sudan and other countries in the Sub- Regional that have or are experiencing political turmoil.

He referenced the happening in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad are youth radicalization and systems failure. He particularly noted that, although Ghana’s situation is quite positive; the rise in crimes, alleged ritual killings, religious differentiation and political intolerance are matters of great concern. He charged the inter-party dialogue committee to be great ambassadors of peace, tolerance and good behaviour worthy of emulation.

Mr. Tahiru Lukman indicated ” Our neighbours are not safe; from Togo to Burkina Faso; Nigeria to Niger; Mali to Chad, there is not healthy political atmosphere; it is sad that in Ghana hate speeches, youth radicalization, crimes and drugs abuse fast becomes a norm; this is a canker that cannot be left unattended; there must be a way out; so as a people, we need to prioritize national cohesion and work with state agencies to maintain a peaceful atmosphere; peace is not achieved by chance; our collective contribution of building tolerance and maintain a good system can guarantee peace’’.

Speaking after a new inter-party dialogue committee was instituted, the District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, Madam Esther Suglo charged the committee members to be a candle of hope in promoting a peaceful electioneering campaign season.

Members of the committee recounted the contributions of the previous committee as great and they work to foster tolerance and resolve pockets of electoral violence. The committee further appeals to electorates and good-loving citizens of the Wa West District and Ghana to put an end to hate speeches and naming calling.

To the committee, this will help Ghana promote tolerance and national cohesion. Participants share their experiences and ask clarifying questions. Participants included NCCE personnel as well as media representatives.

This session is part of the NCCE’s Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) discussions on peace, tolerance, and preventing violent extremism and vigilantism at the district level.

This activity is under the European Union’s (EU) support package for the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) Action in Ghana’s Northern Regions initiative.

Filed by Tahiru LukmanAuthor, Development Consult and Research FellowTel: +233 (0) 209154057