[ 2017-05-04 ]

About 20 people stopped from joining extremists in Ghana
A 21-year-old from northern Ghana was last year
stopped from joining the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria (ISIS), the Executive Director of the West
Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE), Mr
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar has revealed.

According to him, WACCE, since its establishment
in 2013, has prevented about 20 people from
joining extremism in Ghana.

Mr Muqthar, a graduate of Coventry’s
International Terrorism masters course, made this
known at a press conference following an event by
the University’s Alumni Association at its
partner institution, Ghana Technology University
College in Accra.

According to him, he manged to stop the young man
from joining ISIS with just hours to spare as part
of his commitment to fight terrorism

“Last year I saved a young man’s life. He had
been radicalised online and was on his way to join
the terrorist group ISIS after he spent time
online looking for meaning in his life.

“Just a day before leaving to join the group, he
watched my TV outreach programme on
counter-radicalisation, and that was what changed
everything and he changed his mind,” he said.

“West Africa is one of the deadliest regions for
terrorism. My plans are to expand my counter
terrorism work to include the entire West Africa
region, helping to dissuade vulnerable groups and
individuals from engaging in violent extremism and
falling into the void of terrorist recruitment,”
he added.

He said it was important to deepen understanding
of violent extremism and radicalisation to
vulnerable people at risk.

Mr Mugthar earlier appeared as a guest speaker at
the university event, which was run in conjunction
with the British Council.

It included master classes on entrepreneurship and
employability for around 100 graduates.

John Latham, Vice Chancellor of Coventry
University, in a statement said: “Our students
and alumni make a significant contribution to
their communities, be they in the UK or
internationally.”

“Mutaru is among the most significant and
important. His team’s work will shape many young
lives and spread a message of peace and, I am
delighted that his journey began in Coventry.

“The success of our alumni is in part down to
the experiences they have here and the
opportunities they take throughout their
studies.”

Source - Graphic.com.gh

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