‘Be careful in handling political issues’
The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, has said that despite the mandate of the Electoral Commission (EC) to supervise polls, it would be prudent on its part to act in a careful manner.
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"One must always be circumspect when dealing with political issues, especially in this year," he stated.
According to him, all political parties in the country have their own interpretations of issues when they are put up in the media despite the efforts made by institutional heads to explain them.
Most Rev. Prof. Asante was speaking at a lecture by the Rotary Club of Tema and dinner on World Understanding and Peace Day in Tema.
Stakeholder Involvement
Most Rev. Prof. Asante said the EC should have consulted the various representatives on the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) with regard to the steering committee issue since they had a greater stake in the day-to-day running of their parties and dealings with the commission.
He, however, mentioned that if the EC had started the conversation about the steering committee with IPAC those back and forth accusations would not have happened.
Most Rev. Prof. Asante further said even though the EC was expected to perform its duties in consultation with IPAC, it was not under obligation to adhere to all suggestions on how to run its institution by political party members.
Credible Elections
"The EC must be mindful of what it does and when issues are dealt with to avoid any unforeseen circumstance," he stressed.
He called on the EC not to heighten anything that would create tension and a platform for people to be irresponsible but rather tread cautiously.
He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to join the EC in its efforts to ensure that the 2016 election was credible.
Most Rev. Prof. Asante was, however, hopeful that the 2016 general election would be peaceful and transparent through the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including civil society groups in the country.
Peace message
According to the President of the Rotary Club of Tema, Mr Jabez Duncan-Williams, the club, in its quest to serve humanity, had in the past years supported institutions and individuals through its benevolent ways in the health, education and social sectors.
That, he said, had been made possible through the selflessness of individuals in the club.
He was hopeful that more individuals would join the club to support the needy.
"We stand for service to humanity and peace and therefore won't take election issues lightly," he added.
The Most Rev. Prof. Asante was later presented with a citation for his selflessness and dedication to ensuring peace and fairness in the country with the support of members of the National Peace Council.