By Yussif Ibrahim, GNA
Kumasi, Dec. 6, GNA – The Ashanti Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), through the Regional Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), has stepped up its peace campaign in hotspot constituencies in the Region.
The committee, which held its last meeting ahead of Monday’s polls, assigned some of its members to lead the peace campaign in the identified constituencies as part of efforts to avert possible violence in those areas.
They were tasked to visit various churches, mosques, community information centres and local radio stations to sensitise the electorate on the need to embrace peace during and after the declaration of election results.
The targeted constituencies identified by national security as hotspots in the Region are Obuasi East, Asawase, Offinso North, Ejura-Sekyedumase and Old-Tafo.
Nana Yaw Kwabia Amenfi, Regional Chairman of the IPDC, said the deployment of members of the committee to the constituencies was to reduce the risk of political violence and foster peace in the areas.
He said the committee was poised to reach out to the electorate in the region with peace messages, especially those in volatile constituencies in fulfillment of one of its mandates.
Maintenance of peace in Ghana during and after the 2020 elections, he noted, was a civic responsibility of every Ghanaian and called on the citizenry to join forces for a peaceful election.
Mr. Wilson Arthur, the Regional Director of NCCE, said the meeting was to strategise on how best to spread a well-coordinated message of peace in targeted constituencies ahead of the polls.
He said the committee, among other functions, served as the mediator between the political parties by stepping in to diffuse any tension that may arise between opposing parties.
“We also make sure that if any political party uses an unorthodox way to campaign such as lies, maligning of opponents and using hate language we quickly point it out to them and ask them to refrain from such practice,” he stated.
He said the committee was putting place proactive measures to address issues which could potentially degenerate into violence during and after the elections.
GNA