By Lydia Kukua Asamoah, GNA
Accra, Dec. 6, GNA – As the country goes to the polls on Monday, December 7, various stakeholders have emphasised the need for peace before, during and after the elections.
The Reverend Dr Ernest Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the National Peace Council (NPC), called on the media to avoid sensationalism and crosscheck their facts before publicising.
That, he said, would reduce the agitations and tension that characterised elections.
He urged the youth to abstain from acts of violence and refuse “to be used” by any political parties to foment trouble.
Madam Kathleen Addy, Deputy National Chairperson, National Commission for Civic Education, called on all persons to be agents of peace.
She said that would help protect and sustain the peace and tranquillity the citizenry “have been enjoying all these while.”
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, urged politicians to respect the desire of Ghanaians for peace “as we vote to select a new President and parliamentarians.”
He said there was the need for much tolerance and commitment to fair play during the elections, adding that individual interests and political party loyalty should be subordinated to the national desire for peace, unity and development.
Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambers, Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN for West Africa and the Sahel, said any misconduct on the part of political actors could undermine the nation’s democracy and jeopardise its peace and stability.
The Christian Council of Ghana had also appealed to politicians, the Electoral Commission, and citizens to conduct themselves in a manner that would promote peace in the country.
It said the peace of the nation was paramount and, therefore, citizens must do well to protect it during and after the elections.
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, and Mr John Dramani Mahama, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress, have committed to peace by signing the peace-pact.
GNA