Refrain from hate, rancorous utterances — Peace Council

THE National Peace Council has appealed to political parties and presidential candidates to refrain from doing anything that will prop their followers to violence. 

“Hate speech and other rancorous utterances must be checked and avoided. This will ensure that neither their supporters nor opponents are agitated or motivated in any way to resort to violence,” it stated.

The Chairman of the NPC, Rev. Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi made the appeal at the signing of the peace pact in Accra by the 12 presidential candidates to declare their commitment to promote peace during and after the election.

The signing of the peace pact by the presidential candidates or their representatives, supervised by the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, served as an undertaking by the presidential candidates to uphold and promote peace.

Peace pact 

The Presidential Election Peace Pact, organised under the auspices of the National Peace Council (NPC) and the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), was on the theme: “Pursuing Peaceful Elections, Non-Violence and Justice”.

This is the fourth time the NPC and IDEG have organised the signing of the Presidential Peace Pact after similar ones were held in 2020, 2016 and 2012.  

Avoid violence

Rev. Dr Adu-Gyamfi expressed the hope that signing the pact would not be just another public show, “but that all our aspiring presidential candidates to this accord will play their roles effectively, particularly, after the declaration of the election outcomes on December 7, 2024.”

He pointed out that resorting to violence was inimical and must be avoided. 

He urged those who would win to be magnanimous in their celebration as their victory would be four years. 

“To all those who will be unsuccessful in the election, do not grieve for long, for after four years, you will have another opportunity to come back, this time in a stronger position,” he stated.

Democracy

Rev. Dr Adu-Gyamfi said it was the collective duty of the citizenry to ensure that elections were conducted in a free, fair and transparent environment. 

He said the NPC had taken significant steps in ensuring peace in the country during and after elections in the country. 

He cited the organisation of a National Dialogue after the 2020 election together with its key stakeholders including civil society organisations, political parties, religious and traditional leaders to mobilise support for increased avenues for dialogues and consensus among stakeholders, transparency, accountability and credible elections in the country.

He said the presence of the leaders seeking the highest office of the President of the Republic sends a clear message about their commitment to the peace and stability of the country.