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WA brainstorms to counter violent extremism
The Upper West Regional Crime Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent Reynolds Manteaw has encouraged community members to form watch committees to complement the efforts of the police in ensuring security in the region.
He indicated that though security forces in the country were putting the best strategies in place to protect the citizens, they would need the collaboration of all in order to make their mandate more feasible.
“Through vigilance, these watch committees can monitor and report activities of suspected persons in the community to the police for further action”, he said.
C/Supt Manteaw who made this known at a Regional Inter-party Dialogue Committee Meeting organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) at Wa on Monday, explained that with the knowledge and guidance of the police, the community members could put themselves into these groups to safeguard the security of their respective communities.
The meeting sought to create a platform for dialogue among the stakeholders on effective ways of identifying early warning signs of extremist violence through community surveillance and also develop measures to counter radicalisation of the youth.
The Crime Officer used the opportunity to encourage community members to decline invitation to join groups that sought to foment trouble in society and said they should rather report such suspicious groups to the police for immediate action.
The Deputy Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr John Yibile also urged the public, particularly the youth to stay away from individuals or political activists who sought to recruit them into vigilante groups and entice them to cause mayhem.
He stated that violent extremism was becoming a threat to peaceful coexistence and social cohesion and said there was the need to ensure that citizens were sensitised to the nature and prevention of activities of such groups in the region.
The meeting formed part of a project dubbed ‘Preventing Electoral Violence and Providing Security to the Border Regions of Ghana (NORPRESEC)’ funded by the European Union.
Representatives of various political parties, traditional authorities, staff of the Electoral Commission, people living with disabilities, among others attended the forum.
From Rafia Abdul Razak, Wa
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced its return to the platforms of Media General following what it describes as successful reconciliation talks between the two sides.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Koduah, made the announcement during an interview on one of the company’s programmes, TV3.
His appearance marks the end of a standoff that kept the NPP away from the media house for about a year.
Mr. Frimpong Koduah explained that after the elections, the party decided to stay away from the station until further notice.
He said during that period, there were several discussions between the party and the management of Media General to resolve their differences.
According to him, the party’s Director of Communications was instructed to issue an official statement confirming that the NPP had “smoked the peace pipe” with Media General and would return to its platforms.
“As General Secretary and chief spokesperson of the party, I needed to appear on the show for the rank and file of our party to know that indeed the NPP is back to Media General,” he said.
He added that party members should not be alarmed when they see NPP communicators appearing on the station’s programmes.
He stressed that the decision to return is official and based on a gentleman’s agreement reached by both parties.
Mr. Frimpong Koduah noted that both the political party and the media house need each other to function effectively in a democracy.
He expressed hope that going forward, there would be mutual respect and a level playing field in their relationship.
He urged the media house to engage the right party officials when seeking the NPP’s position on national issues.
According to him, some individuals in the past claimed to speak for the party but did not represent its official position.
In a related development, management of Media General issued a statement welcoming the NPP’s decision to return.
The statement said the company has consistently upheld high standards of journalism ethics, fearless reporting and impartial coverage.
The company assured the public of its continued commitment to truth and fairness.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Government Communicator , Dr Sammy Ayeh, has defended the decision to recall Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal, amid public debate over alleged vote buying issues linked to the Ayawaso contest.
Dr Ayeh dismissed suggestions that the recall should be compared to the case of Hajia Amina Adam, who has been mentioned by some commentators as a government appointee.
He argued that the comparison does not hold because the two roles are not the same.
He questioned claims that Hajia Amina Adam serves on three boards, stating that only the Hajj Board has been publicly identified.
He indicated that there was no clear evidence to support assertions that she holds multiple board positions.
According to Dr Ayeh, Baba Jamal’s former position as High Commissioner carried a different level of responsibility.
He explained that a high commissioner represents the President and Ghana’s image abroad, which he described as distinct from board membership.
He maintained that the recall should therefore not be interpreted as unfair or inconsistent treatment.
In his view, the nature of Baba Jamal’s diplomatic role justified separate consideration.
By: Jacob Aggrey
