It explained that resorting to violence rather would derail and stall the socioeconomic growth and development of the country.

“As citizens, we must not invoke violence to derail and stall the nation’s progress, growth and development.Rather, resort to dialogue to protect our democratic dispensation,” the Commission cautioned.

Ibrahim Iddrisu, the Nanton District Director of NCCE, who gave the advice, urged the leadership, members, and faithful supporters of political parties not to invoke violence in resolving their internal differences because it could escalate to stall the progress, growth and development of the nation.

The meeting was to reignite dialogue amongst political parties and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful coexistence, national cohesion, harmony, participation inclusiveness and also to reinforce the role of political parties as key stakeholders for ensuring peace and security in the country, as well as to reignite dialogue on inter and intra political party grievances.
 

The event formed part of the Preventing Electoral Violence and Providing Security to the Northern Border Regions of Ghana project, funded by the European Union to counter violent extremism in the country, among other issues wasorganised by NCCE.
 

In a presentation on ‘Violent Extremism’, Mr Iddrisu underscored the importance of peace, unity and cohesion towards national growth and development and admonished political parties to make use of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committees (IPDC) at the metropolitan, municipal and districts to address their differences and also ensure such differences did not degenerate into violence.
 

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Twumasi Ankrah, Savelugu Municipal Police Commander, facilitated the discussion on ‘National Security Strategy and the National Framework for Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Ghana’, asked people to be vigilant to protect their communities.
 

Alhaji Abdul Saani, the Northern Regional Director of NCCE, reinforced the position of the Commission on peace, unity and security as a cornerstone for national growth and development and appealed against acts that threatened human lives and properties.
 

Representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, security agencies, Electoral Commission, faith-based organisations, People Living With Disability, youth associations, and women groups attended.
 

The reps of political parties pledged to always use dialogue in settling their differences to ensure peace and security in the area and promised to cooperate with the security agencies to fight violent extremism.