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The Executive Director of Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa and former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, has urged all political parties, traditional leaders, clergy, Islamic leaders and all well meaning Ghanaians to advocate for a violence-free electoral process in the upcoming general elections.
Delivering the keynote message at a public lecture on peaceful election 2024, organized by the erstwhile Brong Ahafo Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, expressed deep concern over the recurring pattern of violence and loss of lives during elections in Ghana.
He emphasized that it was crucial for all stakeholders to prioritize peace and non-violence in the democratic process.
“For the past eight elections that Ghana has had, there have been instances of deaths and violence, our elections are characterized with electoral violence and electoral death.
“Some of them even happen during by-elections, we record election violence even when only one constituency is having an election, some happened at Ayawaso, every election year, we record election violence and this is not the legacy we want to leave for future generations.” He said
He further urged all those present during the public lecture to spread the message of peace and non-violence in their communities, workplaces, and social circles.
According to him, it is the responsibility of each and every citizen to ensure that the 2024 general elections would be a peaceful and fair process.
He urged the politicians, EC, Nananom, police and all the stakeholders to come together and sign an MOU to ensure everyone to commit to peace before, during and after the election.
“It is time for all of us to come together and commit to a peaceful electoral process in 2024. Those of us here and those from afar, we must all commit to zero tolerance of electoral death.
“Nananom, traditional leaders, church leaders, Imams, all of us, all the political parties, we have come to a point where we must all commit to zero tolerance of electoral death, and electoral violence.
“So we all, the chiefs, security personnel, church leaders and pastors, Imams, political leaders and all other relevant stakeholders must come together and pledge to go through this year’s elections without any violence.
Rev Benjamin Appiah who is the chairman for the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions of the Presbyterian Church said they have organized this public lecture to prompt Ghanaians and everyone to ensure that there is peace in Ghana.
He used the medium to also urge pastors and prophets who prophesy on election to desist from such practices and be neutral while welcoming all political figures at their place of worship.
“This public lecture is aimed at propagating the need for peace in Ghana, the church is also part of the society and will face the same consequences should the unfortunate happen.
“So this public lecture of peaceful elections is our way of contributing our quota in ensuring that we preserve and maintain the peace we are enjoying in the country.” he told the media
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
