More than 500 members of the National Cadet Corps from 11 regions have received training in conflict prevention, emotional intelligence, leadership and safety awareness as part of efforts to strengthen preventive security among young people.
The two-day programme, organised by the MISORNU Safety Centre at Yamfo in the Ahafo Region from September 6 to 7, sought to broaden the traditional focus of cadet training beyond marching, drills and ceremonial discipline.
The initiative was designed to position cadets as peer leaders and safety ambassadors capable of identifying risks, managing conflicts and promoting responsible behaviour in their schools and communities.
Participants were equipped with practical skills to recognise early warning signs, manage their emotions, resolve disagreements peacefully, make responsible decisions and respond appropriately to safety concerns.
Executive Director of the MISORNU Safety Centre, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) David Senanu Eklu (Rtd), said the programme was based on the organisation’s preventive security philosophy, which emphasises identifying and addressing risks before they develop into conflict, crime, violence or other forms of harm.
“We want to move cadet training beyond marching and ceremonial discipline. We want to help develop young preventive leaders who can recognise warning signs, manage conflict, control their emotions, make responsible decisions, and contribute to safer schools and communities,” he said.
According to DCOP Eklu, developing a safety-first mindset among young people could complement the work of the Police, other security agencies and the Ghana Education Service (GES) by encouraging individuals to take greater responsibility for safety in schools, homes and communities.
As part of the programme, MISORNU introduced the EveryDay Lens – Cadet Edition, a newsletter focused on leadership, character development and preventive safety.
The publication uses real-life Ghanaian experiences to provide practical lessons in mediation, emotional intelligence, leadership, preventive security and safety, under the learning sequence: “Observe → Understand → Learn → Prevent → Lead.”
Launching the newsletter, Yamfo Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Thomas Obah, said safety could not be achieved through the efforts of the Police alone.
He urged the cadets to recognise the role of individual choices in creating safe environments in schools, homes, on the roads, online and within communities.
ACP Obah also connected the initiative to the theme of this year’s National Cadet Corps camp, “Truth and Honesty”, saying the values were essential to building trust, effective leadership, peaceful relationships and responsible citizenship.
He encouraged the cadets to apply the lessons contained in the newsletter rather than treating it simply as reading material.
“Read it, reflect on it, discuss it, practise its lessons, and demonstrate them through your conduct,” he said.
The EveryDay Lens – Cadet Edition is expected to provide continuing education for cadets in areas including conflict prevention, peer mediation, emotional intelligence, communication, teamwork, digital citizenship, responsible decision-making and personal resilience.
The initiative ultimately seeks to promote a generation of disciplined and safety-conscious young people who understand that leadership involves identifying risks early, choosing dialogue over confrontation and helping to create safer and more peaceful schools and communities.
