Accra: The National Peace Council (NPC) has called on political leaders and citizens to allow the legal system to address any disputes arising from the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. This will promote peace and stability both during and after the election process and strengthen the country’s democracy, the Council said.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Right Reverend Samuel Kofi Osabutey, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NPC, emphasized the importance of non-violent solutions to any election-related conflicts during a consultative dialogue in the Odododiodioo Constituency. He urged citizens to refrain from violence and to use legal means for any petitions, highlighting the availability of petition papers at police stations for this purpose.
The dialogue, organized by the NPC in partnership with the Ashiedu Keteke Sub Metro National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), gathered representatives from various political parties, inclu
ding the New Patriotic Party, the Convention People’s Party, and the Progressive People’s Party, as well as religious leaders and traditional authorities. The event aimed to promote a culture of peace throughout the election process.
Three political parties contesting the Odododiodioo Constituency seat signed a peace pact during the dialogue, committing to maintaining peace in the area before, during, and after the elections. Mr. Alfred Anertey Abbey of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Mr. Richard Dzatei Abbey of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), and Mr. Henry Odartey Lamptey, NPP Constituency Treasurer for Odododiodioo, signed the peace pact on behalf of their respective parties.
The Right Reverend Samuel Kofi Osabutey also called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure a transparent election process by deploying dedicated personnel to all voting centers to facilitate a smooth and credible election. He stressed the need for transparency to manage heightened emotions and prevent misunderstandings
that could lead to unrest.
Rev Osabutey further advised the media to guard against misinformation and ensure accurate reporting to protect the electoral process. He underscored the media’s critical role in maintaining national peace by disseminating precise information, warning against incitement, and drawing lessons from historical events where misinformation led to conflict.
Dr. Osei Bonsu Dickson, a facilitator with the Peace Council, urged Ghanaians to act as ambassadors of peace, emphasizing that ‘peace is a collective responsibility.’ He discussed key factors contributing to election-related tensions in the Odododiodioo Constituency, such as political polarization, the high stakes of elections, the winner-takes-all system, and high youth unemployment. To mitigate these tensions, Dr. Dickson advocated for youth empowerment through employment opportunities, peaceful dialogue, and a transparent electoral process.