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Violence in primaries could threaten
peace- Kangah
Accra, July 4, GNA – Mr. David Kangah, Deputy Chairman of
the Electoral Commission (EC) in-charge of Operations on
Friday observed that the minor violent incidents that
characterized the primaries of some political parties have
the potential to disrupt the peace of the country.
“All political parties must endeavour to educate party
faithful at the local levels to exercise maximum tolerance”.
Speaking at a symposium organised by the West Africa Network
for Peace Building (WANEP) on the theme: Consolidating the
Peace in Ghana Through Elections 2008, Mr. Kangah said
elections still remained a determinant for peace and
stability in every country and called on Ghanaians to
maintain the peace during, before and after this year’s
general election.
“Ghanaians must work hard to ensure that elections both at
the constituency and the national level do not become a
factor of for violence to infringe the peace of the nation”,
Mr. Kangah said.
He called for community participation in the electoral
process and pragmatic measures to guard against possible
violence.
Speaking on the Role of Peace Education towards Non-Violence
in Election 2008, Mr. Kwaku Baa Owusu, Director of Public
Education of the National Commission for Civic Education
also attributed causes of electoral violence to ignorance of
the law, mischief, misinformation, prejudice, discontent and
mistrust.
He indicated that there was therefore the need for education
to enlighten the people to enable them to analyse issues for
themselves.
Mr Owusu called for the support of traditional authorities,
religious groups, media and civil society to preserve the
peace.
Nana Obiri Boahene, Minister of State at the Ministry of the
Interior attributed electoral violence in Africa to lack of
political tolerance, hence the need to prepare adequately
during and after the elections.
He also advised the media to avoid over sensationalism and
be fair in their reportage and urged the judiciary to also
ensure fair arbitration on electoral disputes.
The Minister further pledged that government would provide
security services with the needed logistics and called on
the public to provide the Police with any relevant
information which would facilitate their operations.
GNA
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