The Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Samuel Asare Akuamoah, is worried about the dangers of radicalization and violent extremism in West Africa.
He said the West Africa sub-region is troubled by coup d’etats, violent extremists and terrorist attacks saying these are a threat to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with its Secretariat hosted in Ghana.
Akuamoah made the remarks during an interaction with officials of the Public Engagement Department of Parliament.
“It [AfCFTA Secretariat] was not just given to us,” he said. “We went to bid for it among all the over 50 countries, and we won to open our borders and the borders of the continent. Free trade, movement of goods and services and now look at the subregion of West Africa where the secretariat is located. We are troubled by jihadist, violent extremist groups, coup d’état and so how do you open up?”
“It is a challenge that confronts us,” he said. “So as we go out, parliamentary service, whether you are alone or working with us, as you engage the community you should also look at the issue of radicalization and violent extremism.”
The AfCFTA is a major economic bloc that is expected to create a single market for goods and services across Africa.
There have been a number of troubles in some West African countries with Niger being the latest country to endure a coup as its president, Mohamed Bazoum was ousted by the military.
Mr. Akuamoah thus called for everyone to join in the fight against the menace by helping in the education on the prevention of violent extremism and terrorism.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
We wish to unreservedly apologize for the earlier story with the headline: Hosting AfCFTA Secretariat dangerous for our security – NCCE
We acknowledge the earlier story was a misrepresentation of what the Deputy NCCE Chairpersons said. The necessary corrections have thus been made.
The said story was without malice and was not also intended to cause any harm to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and its Deputy Chairperson, Samuel Asare Akuamoah.
We once again apologise for any embarrassment the earlier publication may have caused.