By Lydia Kukua Asamoah, GNA
Accra, Dec. 06, GNA- As the Country goes to the polls on Monday, various stakeholders have emphasised the need for peace, calling on all Ghanaians to ensure that peace prevailed 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 also do well to crosscheck their facts before going to press.
This, Rev Dr Adu Gyamfi, said would reduce agitations and tensions that characterise elections.
He also urged the youth to abstain from acts of violence and refuse “to be used” by political parties to cause mayhem.
Madam Kathleen Addy, the Deputy National Chairperson, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), on her part, called on all persons to be agents of peace.
That, she said would go a long way to help protect and sustain the peace and tranquillity the citizenry “has been enjoying all this while”.
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogili 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 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, appealed to politicians, the Electoral Commission, and citizens to conduct themselves in a manner that would promote peace in the country.
The Council 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 NDC have all committed to peace towards the election, and signed a peace-pact to seal that.
In a related development, President Akufo-Addo has urged all Christians to dedicate Sunday’s services to praying for peace ahead of the elections on Monday.
GNA