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The National Peace Council (NPC) has called on all Ghanaian citizens, both nationals and foreigners, to get involved in maintaining peace in Ghana as the country prepares for the 2020 elections.
This was emphasized by Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih, a board member of the National Peace Council, in a speech at the 2020 International Day of Peace celebration with the theme “Forming Peace Together”, held in Accra.
“I make a passionate appeal to all citizens; We cannot underestimate the risks to peace that may arise from the combined negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us jealously guard the democratic achievements that Ghana has made over the years, ”he urged.
According to the 2020 Global Peace Index (GPI) issued by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), Ghana ranks as the most peaceful country in West Africa, ranking third in Africa and 43rd in the world.
Ms Silke Hollander, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ghana, expressed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s continued efforts to promote its enviable record as a model for stability and peace in Africa.
He underlined the importance of Ghana appreciating its culture of peace and noted that building a peaceful society is a collective effort that requires the participation of all, especially young men and women, as called for in Security Council Resolution 2250 of United Nations (UNSCR) on Youth. , Peace and Security, adopted in 2015.
“We must recognize the potential of young people to contribute positively to peace and development by providing them with the necessary resources to develop their capacity and by giving them the platform to share their ideas,” added Ms. Hollander.
In his message of solidarity, Mr. Roland Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), warned young people never to sacrifice their future for violence and pleaded with journalists to do more to keep peace in the country.
“Allowing the drummers of violence to dance to their own rhythm,” Monney said.
Before the country’s elections in 2020, the National Peace Council has successfully led dialogues between the two main political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to sign a Road Map and a Code. of Conduct to eradicate political vigilantism in the country. This followed the passage of the Surveillance and Related Crimes Act of 2019 (Law 999) passed by Parliament to dissolve the self-defense groups, including the self-defense groups of political parties and land guards, and provide related matters.
This year’s International Day of Peace celebration was organized by the National Peace Council in partnership with the Ghana Association of Journalists, UNDP and the Auntie Is Merkezi Organization (AIMO) with the theme “Building peace together: the role of youth in peacebuilding “. An emblem of peace was unveiled to mark the celebration of the day.
