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The regional director of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Greater Accra says that Ghana cannot have peaceful elections when the actions and inactions of citizens do not show their commitment to guaranteeing peace.
According to George Kwame Amoah, it is essential that Ghanaians are tolerant of each other and respect the choice of others in elections.
“This will help us prevent attacks, insults and intimidation, among others, that are infiltrating the politics of the country,” he said during the launch of the Agents of Peace Campaign.
His comments come after some members of the NPP and NDC attacked each other after a peace walk at Odododiodio in Accra.
Mr. Amoah speaking at the Kaneshie Area Pentecost Church launch on the theme: “Seek Peace and Follow It”, described the violence as “horrible.”
He said it was right to allow political parties the freedom to campaign, as Ghana chose the path of democracy.
People should have the opportunity to freely choose candidates or parties with whom they feel comfortable, he added.
Amoah said, “Peace is priceless, don’t take it for granted. Countries that lost their peace took many years to regain it. We need to seek peace even after the elections. “
Ghana cannot afford to lose the peace enjoyed by its citizens, he noted.
The church members present also took the opportunity to pray for the upcoming elections, political parties and security agencies among others.
The launch was characterized by patriotic songs, poetry recitals and a documentary on some incidents of electoral violence and its effects.
The campaign is expected to be repeated in 87 local assemblies within the 22 districts of the Church.
Amoah congratulated the Church on the campaign and appealed to the people’s conscience about the need to keep the peace.
Greater Accra Regional Deputy Minister, Ms Elizabeth Sackey, urged everyone to “preach peace” and desist from lip service.
The regional director of the Greater Accra National Civic Education Commission, Ms. Lucille Hewlett Annan, noted that it would be difficult for people to enjoy their rights if there were no peace.
He called on citizens to turn to arbitration, litigation, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than war to address their complaints.
The head of the Kaneshie area of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Mike Etrue, called on young people to avoid being used as instruments of violence.
“Young people must not develop their muscles with violence, but must develop the muscles of faith for peace,” he said.
He called on political leaders to seek peace because it remains paramount in Ghana’s democracy and development.
