Political parties urged to adopt peace postures
The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) and the Local Council of Churches in Northern Ghana have called on all political parties to adopt postures of peace and national cohesion particularly after the Supreme Court verdict later this month.
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The two bodies equally pledged their commitment to involve all political parties and their leadership at the constituency and regional levels in the three Northern and Brong Ahafo regions to participate in the process towards national cohesion. They expressed their willingness to observe a week of fasting and prayer starting from August 4 to August 11, 2013 to pray for the country,the panel of judges of the Supreme Court and the various parties in the adjudication process.
In a 10-point communique issued at the end of a dialogue meeting on peace and national cohesion in Tamale last Friday, the bodies promised to organise educational programmes among their congregation and members before the judgement to coexist peacefully.
Delivering the communique on behalf of the bodies, the Chairman of the Northern Sector Office Advisory Committee of the CCG,Rev. Dr. Martin Bugri Nabor, called on security agencies and the media in the north to be circumspect in discharging their duties in order to promote peace.
"The display of preparedness by the security services should not create fear and panic while the media in the performance of their duties should not inflame passions"he pointed out.
He entreated political parties in the Northern Region to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court "no matter in which direction it goes and to avoid all actions that could precipitate violence in our country".
According to him, the CCG in collaboration with other councils in Northern Ghana would organise a thanksgiving service after the verdict.
"We would also use our church platforms and other platforms like the radio stations to advice on moderation in celebration and engage all and sundry to uphold peace and to defend Ghana in all situations"Rev. Dr.Nabor stressed.
The Director of Programmes of the CCG,Rev. Cannon De-graft Johnson noted that Ghana was "bigger than any political party hence the need for them to respect and recognise that fact which should inform their postures after the verdict".
Making references to Matthew 5:9 in the Bible,the director indicated that God enjoined us as Ghanaians to be peacemakers.
"As churches we have a commitment to educate our members, some of whom are politicians on the need to work towards peace and unity" he further stated.
Participants at the meeting included bishops and chairpersons of local councils of churches from the Northern,Upper East and West,Brong Ahafo regions.
By Vincent Amenuveve/Daily Graphic/Ghana
