With funding from the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), the Youth Bridge Foundation is undertaking activities to bridge the information gap of first time voters through voter education and responsible media reportage.
As part of the education students in Savelugu Senior High School and Anbariya Islamic School Abamiera were sensitised on the 9th and 11th of February, 2016 respectively. Among the issues discussed at the sensitisation were
- Who is qualified to vote?
- How to become a registered voter?
- Where to register?
- When can I register?
- When to register?
- Importance of avoiding elections violence
- role of first time voters and young people in ensuring peaceful elections
The Director for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the region, Alhaji Abdul Razak Saani who was present at the forums urged the youth to desist from acts of violence during the general elections. He advised those who were not 18 years to refrain from registering since such were criminal and could land them in jail.
Mr. Douglas Quartey the programmes manager for the foundation also amongst many things stressed on the fact that with the biometric registration, minors who register will have to live with inflated ages for the rest of their lives. He therefore called on the students to advise their peers not to be forced to register or be enticed to participate in violent protests and activities that can mar the peace of their communities since that could affect their education.
Under a pilot project being implemented in three districts in the northern region of Ghana – Tamale Metropolis, Savelugu Municipal and Tolon Districts, the foundation in collaboration with officials of the National Commission for Civic Education are carrying out voter education for young people in these districts ahead of the 2016 elections.
This is being complemented by education on Bishara Radio and youth led community outreach activities in communities in these districts.
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