He underscored the need for citizens’ to repel negativity through strategic investments to build strong resistance from radicalism through smart strategies to imbibe the role of non-state actors including civil society organisations in fighting violent extremism and terrorism.

Col Bataabanah stressed on the need for citizens not to overrely on only state-led approaches but combine well-fashioned strategies, including appreciation and respect for all actors in a joint fight.

He gave the advice at a panel discussion at the third National Dialogue on the theme: ‘Violent Extremism and Political Instability in West Africa: Implication for Africa’, under the auspices of Preventing Electoral Violence and Providing Security to the Northern Border Regions of Ghana (NorPrevSec) project.

It was implemented by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) with funding from the European Union (EU). 

According to Col Bataabanah, a whole-of-society approach with active stakeholder engagement was required to nib the phenomenon in the bud and when such multifaced approaches were adopted, the country would be secured and insulated against extremist activities and terrorism.

“Even if the sub-region appears to be overwhelmed by such extremist and terrorist activities,in fighting the phenomenon, there is need for an encompassing approach including strategic leadership and collaborative efforts by non-state actors.

“In dealing with extremism and terrorism, traditional leaders along the border areas have critical roles to play just as the roles of faith-based institutions are critical part of processes in winning the fight however, trust is lost on the continent and citizens of West Africa has vitiated trust for state officials with the causes dating back from the colonial era to recent times,” Col Bataabanah entreated.

Professor Kwesi Aning, Director at the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research (FAAR) at the Kofi Annan InternationalPeacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPC), observed that there seemed to be inflation of violent extremism, terrorism and identification of processes through which persons were radicalised and became extremists in dealing with the phenomenon.

Josephine Nkrumah, Chairperson of NCCE, said the stability of the country would largely be a mirage “if active and proactive steps are not taken to counter violent extremism”.

She assured of the commission’s continuous raising awareness regarding prevention of violent extremism, radicalism, role of all stakeholders in the quest of securing the country’s peace, unity, national cohesion, harmony, security, and stability to enhance and synergise collaboration.

Ms Nkrumah appealed to traditional authorities, faith-based organisations, religious leaders to play pivotal role in that endeavour and indicated that the youth were key to success of concerted effort being sought in promoting peace, unity, stability and cohesion.