Nana Akuoko Sarpong initiates peace walk in Agogo
The paramount chief of the Agogo Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong, has underscored the need for peace to guarantee the sustenance of the country's young democracy.
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He, therefore, called on all political leaders and their supporters as well as other stakeholders to work towards the attainment of peace before, during and after the 2016 polls.
Nana Sarpong made the call in a speech read on his behalf by the Krontihene of Agogo, Nana Kwame Nti, when he addressed participants who took part in a two-hour peace walk at the main Agogo Lorry Station last weekend.
Participants
The participants, who included traditional leaders, members of the Agogo Youth Association, representatives of political parties, nurses of the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital and students from both the Agogo Collins Senior High and the Agogo State Senior High schools paraded through the principal streets of Agogo singing and dancing to promote peace.
Some of the placards read ‘peace is patriotic’, “give peace a chance’ and ‘NPP, NDC, CPP, PNC, NDP and PPP = Ghana.”
The walk, initiated by Nana Sarpong, was to create awareness among the people in the Asante-Akyem North District for them to realise the need to talk peace before, during and after the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7.
The Peace Walk was organised by the Agogo Traditional Council in collaboration with the Asante-Akyem North District Assembly, the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Agogo Council of Churches, the Agogo Youth Association, the Agogo Mma Kroye kuo in Accra and the Agogo branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU).
Peace gestures
Nana Sarpong noted that when peace gestures were compromised, women and children became the miserable lot and therefore advised the youth not to indulge in any acts that could lead them astray.
He advised them to concentrate on their books so that they could become responsible citizens.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Akyeamehene and Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Peace Walk, Nana Boakye-Yadom, urged all and sundry not to allow themselves to be swayed by sentiments.
The Member of Parliament for Asante-Akyem North, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Agyeman, advised the youth not to be used by people for their selfish interest.
He commended Nana Sarpong for his initiative and pointed out that such laudable initiatives were worth the support.
Refrain from acts
The Presiding Member (PM) of the Asante-Akyem North District Assembly, Mr Agyemang Prempeh, advised the people to refrain from acts that would retard the development of the district.
He noted that when there was disaster, the little resources and funds that the assembly had generated would be used in an unproductive venture.
The independent parliamentary candidate, Mr Samuel-Anyang-Kusi, called for peace and said it behoved all competitors to work towards the service they would deliver when they got the nod.
The Chairman of the Agogo Youth Association, Mr Emmanuel Buaben, for his part, advised the youth not to allow politicians to use them for their selfish gains
The Administrator of the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Mr Dalibi Amadu Ezekiel advised the youth not to be influence by monetary considerations to cause mayhem or confusion.
In attendance was the Music Maestro, Nana Amakye Dede and his Apollo High Kings boys who played beautiful melodies to educate the people to give peace a chance.
The participants also donated blood to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital.