Ghanaians Laud Kumasi Peace Pact - But doubt its effectiveness
A cross section of Ghanaians have lauded the Kumasi Peace pact signed by flag bearers of the political parties contesting the general elections but contend that the signatories need to hold their followers in check.
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They also expressed confidence that the polls would pass off peacefully.
They, however, said, the mere expression and signing of a document outlining measures for peace was not a guarantee for peace, unless the leaders of the various parties take prompt and decisive measures to control their supporters.
They, therefore, called on the leadership of the political parties to ensure that their supporters comported themselves not only by their actions but also in words.
That, according to them, was necessary because most of the conflicts and disputes emanated from the grassroots.
Under the auspices of the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), the National Peace Council and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, all the presidential candidates contesting the December 7, 2012, polls, signed a peace pact in Kumasi on November 27, 2012. pledging their commitment to peace and violent free elections.
Two days after the event, described by many as historic, there had been some skirmishes in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi, raising concerns about the impact of the Kumasi Declaration.
Sebastian Syme reports that a poet and writer, Mr Kojo Owusu, said circumstances that led to the accord was in recognition of the charged political atmosphere in the country as a result of the uncompromising position of the political parties and their followers, especially the two leading parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
For him, the event could not have come at a better time as it demonstrated the candidates' desire for peace in the country.
Mr Daniel Kofi Saponbilla, a Banker, said the mere expression and signing of a document outlining measures for peace was not a guarantee for peace unless the leaders of the various parties take prompt and decisive measures to control their supporters.
The peace pact, he however maintained, if for nothing at all, underscored the desire of Ghanaians to live in a peaceful atmosphere, irrespective of who won the polls.
“Peace is essential for national stability and development. We now have a document to refer to in our assessment of the political situation in the country so this Pact should be respected and obeyed in in all its forms,” Mr Saponbilla said.
A Health worker, Ms Sharon Naariyong, said the commitment to peace by the leaders was a demonstration of Ghana’s unwavering stance on sustaining and maintaining its democratic credentials which was a trail blazer on the African continent.
She expressed confidence in the process believing that Ghana would emerge the winner after the election.
Mr James Appiah, A technician based at Achimota in Accra said, “The mere signing of a Peace Pact is valueless at this point unless its terms are enforced to the letter.”
The persistent use of intemperate language by political activists in the media and in their campaigns, despite the coming into force of the pact, was for him, a cause to worry. This he said was because the situation heightened tension.
Some market women spoken to at Achimota, Dome, Taifa and Lapaz, all in Accra, unanimously commended the candidates for signing the pact and urged followers of the candidates to also commit themselves to the process.
Traders at the Kasoa New Market in the Central Region, noted that the political leaders did not pose a challenge to peaceful elections but rather, their followers.
To Maame Akon, a 59-year-old tomato seller, the event was a mockery. She said she was not moved and would not be swayed by any attempt by politicians to convince Ghanaians that they were peaceful.
“ I have voted five times and I can tell you that every year politicians come out in one way or the other to tell us that they will ensure peace but evidence from what we hear and see from other places proved different,” she said.
Ms Angel Ampah, who operates a store, said the peace accord signed by the political parties was a step in the right direction.
According to her, “ the simple and yet profound thing they demonstrated in Kumasi was enough to tell their supporters to refrain from violence in the elections.
For his part, Paa Kumi, who repairs electronic gadgets, said the best peace message would be for NDC and NPP to lose the elections. When this happens, Ghana will be safe.
In Koforidua in the Eastern Region Nana Konadu Agyeman said residents of the New Juaben Municipality urged the flag bearers to let their actions and body language portray a genuine intention for peace and unity to their supporters.
That, they believe, would motivate the followers of all the political parties to also be law-abiding, tolerant and refrain from using abusive language as the polls drew nearer.
A lecturer of the Koforidua Polytechnic, Mr Samuel Ayittah, contended that given the individual wisdom and experience of the presidential candidates, the safety, peace and unity prevailing in the country should be their priority.
“Such public show of intention is laudable but they should let their subsequent actions, speeches, body language and demeanors confirm their intention for peace. By this, they could cause their good deeds to trickle down to their followers who would want to emulate such gestures”, Mr Ayittah stated.
The Managing Director of Chris Café, Mr Chris Tsey Bluku, lauded the Kumasi initiative especially as the peace pact was signed in the presence of two former Presidents and the Asantehene.
Mr Bluku, however, expressed the hope that the political parties would go all out to educate their supporters on the need to exercise extreme tolerance and respect for the views of others belonging to different parties.
An author, Mr Victor Kwasi Boateng, who is also a lecturer at the All Nations University College, was full of praise for all the political parties for appreciating the need to come together to commit themselves to the peace pact.
“However, the problem I have with such public declaration is that peace cannot be mounted on pen only but should be backed by actions and deeds by the signatories in order to make the desired impact on their supporters”, the author of “Perfect Brains” stated.
An artist, Saint Dominic, commended the Asantehene and the various political party leaders for demonstrating their commitment to allow peace to prevail in the country before, during and after the December polls.
“I hope that the leadership of the parties will give practical meaning by urging their supporters to do the same”, he said, adding that “a failure to practice what they publicly declared could have unpleasant consequences”.
Tim Dzamboe reports from Ho that Miss Mary Pomary of Mawuli Estate in Ho, said the call for peace was the responsibility of every citizen and that the Kumasi platform was a reinforcement process for the people to chart the course for peace before, during and after the electioneering period.
Mr Emmanuel Agane a teacher at Lolobi-Kumasi said the reality was that politicians had failed the people and that if they wanted to be good apostles of peace they should set good examples.
He asked for restraint from the electorate, adding that the watchword should be that "a life lost in the political process cannot be replaced or paid for by the politician".
For his part a tutor, Mr Victor Aniawu noted that the peace accord was refreshing and a reassurance for peace in the country although some of the candidates were unrepentant, judging by their delivery.
Tamale
Some residents of Tamale described the Kumasi declaration as historic and urged the various stakeholders’ especially political parties to do more consultations to consolidate the gains made so far in ensuring violent free elections on December 7, 2012, reports Zakaria Alhassan.
Mr. Sulemana Issahaq, who works with a private security company, appealed to the parties to respect and abide by the provisions as contained in the peace pact.
“The security personnel must also be impartial in dealing with any infractions of the law. They should not compromise on their professionalism and should deal with all cases of criminality without fear or favour,” he admonished.
A teacher trainee, Musah Salifu opined that, the signing of the accord was a laudable idea but “it is one thing signing for peace and another task upholding it.”
He recalled the recent shooting incident in Kumasi days after the colourful signing ceremony and described the development as worrying since it goes contrary to the tenets of the agreement.
A trader at the Tamale Central Market, Hajia Hassan Alima said, “Ghana is the only country we have so my prayer is that we come out of this election successfully to continue with our respective schedules and businesses.”
George Ernest Asare reports from Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital that the pockets of violence recorded in Kumasi, Effiduase and other parts of the country, barely a week after the eight Presidential candidates signed a declaration to safeguard the success of the December 7,2012 general elections, had raised doubts about the commitment of the candidates to uphold the peaceful co-existence in the country.
Mrs. Dorothy Osei- Owusu, a fish monger, expressed concern about the violent clash in Kumasi where three people were said to have suffered various degrees of injury.
She said it is about time the Police asserted themselves and acted more professionally by arresting and prosecuting anyone found to have indulged in criminal activities likely to affect the success of the elections.
For his part, Mr. Eric Mensah, a businessman, said the success of the Kumasi declaration depended solely on the commitment of the leadership of the various political parties.
Madam Abena Nkrumah, a petty trader was of the view that for the Kumasi declaration to make any meaningful impact, all political leaders should denounce anyone who hides behind their party to create any form of violence.
Emmanuel Modey & Victor Kwawukume report from Ho that a good number of people said the public commitment of the leaders to peace would trickle down to their teeming supporters on the need to preserve peace.
Some, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the Ash town incident. following closely after the peace pact was signed.
They said the commitment to peace must be shown in deed and not words, adding that even though the country was generally a peace-loving one, there was the need for security to be beefed up on election day to prevent any negative incident.
While all those interviewed expressed optimism that Ghana will go through the December 7 election unscathed, they called for a practical demonstration to peace before, during and after the election.
