President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians not to allow the December 7 polls divide the country but build and strengthen the country’s democracy.
He said elections were the civic responsibilities of citizens, however, in exercising their franchise and stating their different opinions on who to vote and not vote for, it should not result in war and violence.
Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, said this on behalf of the President at the 2024 Peace Campaign organized by associations of faith based organisations on the theme: “Let Peace Prevail (Mathew 5:9).”
The event which took place at the Forecourt of the State House was under the auspices of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), National Association of Charismatic Christian Churches (NACCC), Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Office of the National Chief Imam.
It brought together some political party leaders, including former President John Dramani Mahama, Flagbearer of the NDC; Mr Hassan Ayariga, Presidential Candidate of All People’s Congress (APC); Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Vice Presidential Candidate of the NPP and Nana Ohene Ntow, Senior Advisor to Mr Alan Kyerematen, Presidential Candidate for Movement for Change.
Mr Asamoah Boateng said Ghana’s interest was supreme over political parties, adding that the country had rich tapestry of culture, traditions and beliefs that uphold unity and it was important the citizens embraced each other as brothers and sisters.
“We have polarised and politicised a lot of things we do in this country, creating enmity among us. Our politics should be devoid of insults and hate speech. It should be a solemn expression of hope and what one can seek to bring on board the development agenda,” the Minister said.
He said the government had a responsibility to protect each citizen and maintain law and order before, during and after the December polls.
Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, Vice Presidential Candidate, New Patriotic Party (NPP), said members of the NPP had been resolute in their conviction that the peace of Ghana was more important than any interest.
He said an election campaign was just a contest of ideas in quest of getting the people’s mandate to form a government and lead the country.
“Our Flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has always embodied this principle of peace. We’ve said a lot and this is the time to put words into action. Let’s sign the peace accord to demonstrate that we mean what we say,” Dr Opoku Prempeh said.
He urged the leaderships of the clergy to guard their members against making disparaging comments that inflated religious intolerance since the country had been challenged by political intolerance.
Sheikh Arameyaw Shiabu, Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, said peace was an all time need of humans, adding that Cardinal Appiah Turkson once said: “It is the action of the human beings that incarnate violence.”
He said everyone needed to control their hearts and minds and in speaking to one another across the political divide, they should do so with Love.
“From the Chief Imam, we want all persons to put their interests aside for that of Ghana. We plead that out political actors be careful not to make inflammatory comments. For the young people, be careful how you can be deployed or used as tools to perpetrate violence,” the Spokesperson said.
