Mr Joachim Elbazer, the Nabdam District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called on political parties to preserve the peace of the country and not consider elections 2024 as a do-or-die affair.
He noted that regardless of which political party won, it would need peace and a calm atmosphere to govern, and that should be paramount to all the political parties.
The Director said this when he addressed members of the Interparty Dialogue Committee (IPDC) in the district, as part of the European Union (EU)-sponsored project dubbed, Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) in the Northern Regions of Ghana.
It aimed at undertaking peace building consultative meetings and working with stakeholders in averting violent extremism and promoting peaceful coexistence and national cohesion before, during, and after the 2024 general elections in the Nabdam District and the country at large.
Mr Elbazer emphasised that though Ghanaians had continued to uphold the supremacy of the constitution, a free and liberalised media landscape, and the promotion of democracy in general, the country could not afford to lose guard at this critical moment.
“Ghana, having achieved the successful conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections eight times in succession, culminating in the peaceful transition and transfer of political power from a ruling party to an opposition party in 2000, 2008, 2016, and 2020, calls for the avoidance of complacency in the face of all these threats.”
He reiterated that violent extremism and terrorism continued to remain a serious challenge for the preservation of democratic governance, which is essential for peace, prosperity, and safety in the country and the sub-region at large, and election 2024 must not be seen as an avenue to contributing to these setbacks.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Charles Simpa, the Bolgatanga East District Commander of the Ghana Police Service, indicated that misinformation and disinformation were fueling tensions and urged the political parties to desist from creating and sharing fake news to maintain the peace of the country.
Mr Tiwol Emmanuel Basie, the chairman of the IPDC, reaffirmed his commitment to championing peace before, during, and after the 2024 general elections.
He called on actors of political parties to be peace ambassadors and make the country governable for sustainable development regardless of which party won the presidential election.
