Sandema: Mr. Jeffery Adda, Builsa North Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Upper East Region, has re-emphasized the Commission's commitment to collaborate with stakeholders to combat the radicalization of young people and vulnerable communities. He stressed that the Commission aims to work closely with religious bodies and community leaders to foster public awareness around values such as mutual trust, tolerance, negotiation, and reconciliation, with an emphasis on indigenous peace-building mechanisms. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Adda, speaking at a political party youth activist engagement program on Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) in Sandema, highlighted the importance of respecting cultural diversity in efforts to curb extremist ideologies and radicalization among youth and vulnerable groups. He appealed to traditional leaders to use local mechanisms to maintain peace and coexistence among communities and ethnic groups, aiming to enhance ci tizens' awareness of their rights and responsibilities and promote inclusive governance. The NCCE, as Mr. Adda noted, conducted a baseline study on PCVE action in Northern Ghana in 2023. The study found youth to be particularly vulnerable to violent extremism, underscoring the need for their engagement in combating this menace. He acknowledged that while anyone could become an extremist, young people searching for identity, purpose, or belonging are especially susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups. Mr. Adda identified religious convictions, political ideologies, and ethnic prejudices as potential drivers of violent extremist groups. As part of the European Union-supported PCVE project, the Commission organized youth engagements across 75 operational districts to address non-violence and radicalization. Highlighting the global threat posed by youth radicalization, Mr. Adda emphasized the necessity of civic engagements fostering unity, belonging, and patriotism to deter violence. He urged political and religious leaders to promote peace and cohesion in their campaigns and sermons, aiming to prevent democratic relapse and tensions fueled by violent extremist groups. Mr. David Angaamba, Principal Program Manager of the Regional Peace Council, discussed the youth's role in promoting peace and interfaith tolerance, suggesting peace campaigns and social media usage to counter misinformation. Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Tabiri warned youth against participating in electoral violence, emphasizing legal repercussions for such actions.