Let’s sustain the peace

The greater worry of the Daily Graphic concerns the enforcement of the law by the security agencies. There is this widespread perception that there is always selective enforcement when it comes to electoral disputes, with opposition supporters and activists always at the receiving end, while those sympathetic to the ruling government are let off the hook, even if they are the suspects.

This is the time for the Police Service to redeem its image when it comes to enforcing the law on electoral disputes or violence. We know that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, has, since assuming the headship of the service, brought some positive changes, including a campaign to restore its good image, and we trust that he and his men will use this year’s polls to regain the confidence of the people.

Elections offer us the opportunity to make a choice among leaders who seek to govern us. Such an exercise should, therefore, be carried out in a free, fair and transparent manner devoid of acts of intimidation, blackmail, physical assaults and the snatching of ballot boxes.

The Daily Graphic believes that it is the successes we have chalked up since we chose the path of democracy that have made bodies such as the European Union (EU) not to send observers for this year’s elections. We cannot allow such confidence in our electoral system be destroyed through any form of violence or clashes.

We know that the security agencies may not have the numbers to police all the polling stations, particularly the flashpoints.

The Daily Graphic, therefore, calls on all stakeholders, particularly the political parties and those contesting the elections, to co-operate with officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the security agencies to ensure that we have violent-free elections.

We wish to remind all Ghanaians that they will undermine the unity, inclusiveness, peace and destiny of the nation if they engage in electoral violence.

Sometimes our people want to close their ears to the cacophonous noise by peace campaigners during this period, but since public opinion can only be meaningful if sustained, their efforts are welcome.

That is why the Daily Graphic commends the initiatives of the National Peace Council, religious institutions and civil society organisations, especially the Ghana Peace Campaign, to sustain the peace before, during and after the polls.