NCCE Advocates for Stronger Citizen-Security Partnerships to Safeguard Ghana’s Peace

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called for stronger collaboration and trust between citizens and security institutions to safeguard Ghana’s peace and stability.

The Commission pointed out that although Ghana’s successful 2024 General Election and peaceful transfer of power demonstrated the country’s democratic maturity, peace should not be taken for granted but continuously protected and strengthened.

This call was made by the Deputy Chairman of the NCCE in charge of General Services, Victor Brobbey Esq., who delivered a speech on behalf of the NCCE Chairperson, Madam Kathleen Addy, at a National Dialogue organised by the Commission with support from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mr. Brobbey intimated that the changing security environment in West Africa, including concerns over violent extremism, cross-border crime, misinformation and disinformation, requires citizens, communities, state institutions and security services to work closely to prevent threats to peace and social cohesion.

He noted that southern border communities were particularly important because of their role in trade, tourism, movement and regional integration, adding that their locations could also expose them to emerging security risks.

The NCCE Deputy Chair stressed that peace and security were not the sole responsibility of security agencies, urging citizens to promote tolerance, reject violence and exercise caution when sharing information, particularly on social media. He also called on citizens to report activities that could threaten peace and security through appropriate channels rather than taking the law into their own hands.

Mr. Brobbey further highlighted the role of young people, particularly as major users of digital and social media platforms, asserting they needed to be empowered with the knowledge and skills to become positive voices for peace, tolerance and responsible citizenship.

“The NCCE-ECOWAS project would build on the Commission’s existing peacebuilding, civic education and conflict-prevention activities”, he stated, indicating that implementation will focus on selected southern and border communities.

According to him, the National Dialogue marks the first activity under the project and would help shape subsequent engagements with youth leaders, community members and security institutions. He additionally stressed that despite the different responsibilities of stakeholders, the common interest remains building a peaceful, safe and stable Ghana.