Ghanaians asked to contribute to violence-free polls
Queen mothers in the Akwamu Traditional Area in the Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region have appealed to Ghanaians to contribute to a violence-free environment before, during and after the December 7, 2016, general election.
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According to them, any attempt to allow themselves to be used to cause mayhem in the country would send the country backwards.
They noted that election violence had led to the loss of lives and property and that as the country drew closer to the 2016 elections, preventive measures should be put in place to ensure that such violence was eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum.
The queenmothers said the youth, who form the majority of the electorate, had very often fallen victims to election violence and were used as tools to engage in other vices even after elections.
“We are therefore appealing to our youth not to engage in any acts of violence which will lead them into trouble, since it would not augur well for their future,” they added.
These sentiments were shared at the end of a three-day workshop organised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for 30 queenmothers from the Akwamu Traditional area at Akosombo in the Asuogyaman District.
Topics treated included the voting process, citizens responsibilities before, during and after the elections, networking and campaigning for peace and how to manage change among other areas.
The queenmothers commended USAID for the collaboration and pledged to educate their communities on the need to maintain peace at all times.
A consultant to the workshop, Mr Henry Crentsil, said women played a critical role in peace building within the family, the community and the nation as a whole with queenmothers being very instrumental in community development, which had gone a long way to ensure smooth and non-violence elections within their various communities.