Party youth activists in Effutu commit to peaceful polls
Youth leaders from four political parties have pledged their commitment to ensure peace before, during and after the December general election in the Effutu Constituency in the Central Region.
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They have also promised not to allow themselves to be used by the leadership of their parties to foment trouble that could destabilise the nation.
Workshop
They gave the assurance during a day’s workshop for political party youth activists intended to ensure tolerance and peace in the 2016 election.
The youth who represented the parties were Joseph Kojo Gyan Ghunney of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Mr Atta Mensah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Annobil Baidoo from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Alex Ohene Gyan of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
In separate declarations, the party representatives said violence associated with elections was perpetrated mostly by the youth, resulting in dire consequences. They resolved not to allow leaders to use them to plunge the nation into chaos.
According to them, Ghana is the only country they have and, therefore, the youth must protect the peace the country is currently enjoying.
They noted that the nation would only achieve its desired progress in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity and, therefore, the youth must support efforts towards peace in the country.
The event was organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Effutu Municipality and funded by the European Union on the theme: ‘Empowering the youth to stand up for Ghana for peaceful election 2016.’
Its objective is to sensitise the political party youth activists to peace and encourage them to ensure that the country goes through a successful election. It would be implemented in 40 selected district assemblies across the country.
Parties code
The Deputy Central Regional Director of the NCCE, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, said Ghana’s democracy had travelled far and could only be protected through peaceful coexistence in the run-up to the election.
He reminded all political parties to respect the political parties’ code of conduct signed in 2012 to maintain the peace in the country.
He told the youth that society expected much from them and they should, therefore, ensure that they were not influenced to cause mayhem during the election.
He called on parties to campaign on issues by using convincing messages instead of attacking the personality of their political opponents, since ‘such a move would heighten tension among parties.’
Public Order Act
The Winneba District Police Commander, Superintendent Godfred Tetteh, called on the political parties to respect the Public Order Act by notifying the police before organising any public event that needed police protection.
He cautioned the parties against the use of macho men, since the police were mandated to police the ballot during elections, stressing that the use of such men was unlawful and that the police would deal ruthlessly with such miscreants if they tried to cause confusion.
The Effutu Municipal Director of the NCCE, Mr Francis Romanus Arloo, in a welcome address, entreated the youth to remain focused so that they would not be manipulated by politicians to engage in violent acts that might be detrimental to the development of the nation.
He stated that the nation had enjoyed stable democratic governance since 1992 and that must be protected.
Chairman
The Omanhene of Effutu Traditional Area, Neenyi Ghartey VII, who chaired the function, commended the youth for their commitment to a peaceful election in December.
He called on the political parties to engage in a clean campaign devoid of insults and vilification to sustain the peace in the country.