We need to engender police - community relations to fight crime, prevent violent extremism - NCCE to residents of Canteen

We need to engender police - community relations to fight crime, prevent violent extremism - NCCE to residents of Canteen

As mandated under article 233c of the 1992 constitution,the West Gonja Municipal office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has held a sensitization forum with residents of Canteen Electoral Area, suburb of West Gonja Municipal of the Savannah Region on violent extremism, counter terrorism, corruption and crime prevention.

Addressing a large gathering of community members at the Sunflash Hall in Canteen, the West Gonja Municipal Director of NCCE, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, in a welcome address emphasized the importance of the community engagements in fostering closer ties between civilians and the police, adding that, crime fighting is a shared and collaborative responsibility. 

He urged citizens to take keen interest in understanding the laws of the country and be active participants in the fight against violent extremism, counter terrorism, corruption, nepotism and crime in general in our communities.

The seeming lack of trust, figure pointing between citizens and the security agencies in his estimation, must be cemented to help address the gap in the maintenance of law and order for economic activities.

Mr. Issahaku Zitor, the Savannah Regional Director of NCCE said community members must put aside their political, religious, ideological and tribal differences and work together to counter violent extremism.

According to him, community members must appreciate the enormity of the problem at hand and come to a common understanding that our biggest enemy in society today is the fight against poverty, protracted chieftaincy disputes, farmer - cattle herder impass, excruciating hardship among others.

He said violence is never the answer, exhorting community folks to see violent extremism as something that is more closer to us than it's far, citing Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria as classical examples. 

The West Gonja Municipal Commander of police, ASP Mr. Charles Aniagyei said the integrity of the police will always dictate community trust and help reduce tension, conflict and counter violent extremism. 

He said there is the need to come to a mutual understanding of the challenges, build partnership, open and honest communication to build a police service where everyone feel respected, valued and accepted. 

ACP Aniagyei regrets the actions of some unethical officers which is fast obliterating the trust between the police and citizens.

He called for effective community support towards crime combating in the form of vigilantism and community watchdogs.

AEMT Gideon Antwi, West Gonja Municipal Manager of the National Ambulance Service assured of the availability of security officers to partner communities in the fight against violent extremism.

Chiefs and opinion leaders of Canteen lauded NCCE for the lovely and timely engagement, using the opportunity to ask relevant questions, and seek clarifications on some matters of community concerns.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham