Youth Must Work to Avert Political Violence.

Accra: The National Peace Council (NPC) has challenged the youth to work to avert political violence before, during, and after the December 7 elections. The Council also urged young people in politics to exhibit love for the national desire to serve to satisfy the needs of society.According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Enyonam Kudonoo of Ashesi University, a facilitator, addressed young men and women at a two-day workshop titled 'Preventing Violent Extremism in Hotspots in the Context of the 2024 General Election' in the Ablekuma Central Constituency in Accra. The workshop was part of a project organized by the NPC in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), designed to influence the youth for peaceful polls.The initiative aimed at building the capacity of a core group of youth leaders to serve as agents of change in their communities, promoting free, fair, and peaceful elections for December 7, 2024, and beyond. It also sought timely interventions to manage the slightest signs of potential risks of tension and violence among the youth before they escalate.Prof Kudonoo, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, highlighted that the project seeks to control the engagement of the youth in activities prone to election violence and crisis. She urged the youth to take advantage of the programme to help limit the negativity associated with the election, emphasizing that elections are inherently conflict-prone and mechanisms must be put in place to ensure they remain non-violent.Furthermore, Prof Kudonoo stressed the importance of self-control and advised against succumbing to politicians who might exploit their influence to incite harm. Topics covered during the workshop included violent extremism and terrorism, radicalization, analyzing drivers of violent extremism, vigilantism, and developing local community-level interventions to prevent violent extremism.Mr. Jibrael Ninson of the Ablekuma Central NCCE remarked that elections should not be a "do or die affair," noting tha t the 1992 Constitution provides the right for everyone to join any political party of their choice. He emphasized the collective responsibility to protect national peace and called on all stakeholders to contribute toward a violence-free election on December 7.Sheikh Abass Saleh Haroun, a member of the Greater Accra Peace Council, highlighted the importance of conducting peaceful elections to protect the country's image and consolidate its credentials and international acclaim.