A training has begun for District Directors of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to prepare them to engage the citizenry on violent extremism and its prevention in the country.

The participants, who were drawn from selected districts from the Northern, North East, Savannah and Upper East Regions, would be taken through definitions and contextual overview of violent extremism, drivers of violent extremism, strategies used in recruitment and radicalism by violent extremist groups, peacebuilding mechanisms amongst others.

They would also be exposed to the findings and highlights of the survey on violent extremism, which was conducted by the NCCE to help broaden their knowledge on the issue to enable them design specific messages that suits their local situations.

The training formed part of the Preventing Electoral Violence and Providing Security to the Northern Border Regions of Ghana (NORPREVSEC) project, which is being implemented by the NCCE with support from the European Union.

The NORPREVSEC project, which is being implemented in the five regions in the north and the border regions of the country, seeks to amongst others address various security threats in the most vulnerable parts of the north of the country.

Ms Josephine Nkrumah, Chairperson of the NCCE, who opened the training in Tamale, said it was important as it would contribute to sustaining the country's democracy and development through tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

She emphasised that "the country's political stability cannot be compromised" urging the citizenry to be alert, and peace-loving, and work with the security agencies to protect the country from violent extremism.

She urged participants to share the knowledge gained with their colleagues to ensure that they reached out to the targeted population within their jurisdictions.

Alhaji Abdul Razak Saani, Northern Regional Director of NCCE, said violent incidents being recorded in some neighbouring countries demanded that the country was adequately prepared to tackle such issues effectively to ensure a conducive atmosphere for national development.

He, therefore, lauded the training and urged the participants to be open-minded to better appreciate the issues to enhance their work.