With the 2024 General Elections on the horizon, the National Peace Council (NPC) has been preparing effortlessly to contribute its quota to ensure peaceful and violent free elections. The National Peace Commission as instituted by the (818) Act of the Parliament 2011 is mandated to facilitate and develop mechanisms for conflict prevention, conflict management, conflict resolution, and building sustainable peace.
The National Peace Council (NPC) deals with a range of issues ranging from, land litigation, political and religious conflicts, and ethnic and tribal issues among others. According to the NPC, there are currently 298 cases the NPC is handling out of which twenty-four (24) are political.
The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi revealed that the NPC has been involved in the Bawku Conflict for years. He stated that the PNC is liaising with the overlord of the Manhyia Palace, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II to resolve the conflict in Bawku.
“The council [NPC] over the years has been the factor that has sustained peace in that area [Bawku] in the past until the last eruption… the challenge we have is the criminal bit of the case…we cannot get in until these issues [criminal issues] subside… even when people are ready to talk”.
Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi
Commenting on the military action that occurred in Ashaiman in 2023, and the current economic challenges of the country, Dr. Adu-Gyamfi stated that the NPC seems quiet because it has a policy of not condemning any faction in a conflict. He asserted that giving both factions involved in a conflict to make their arguments ensures that conflicts are solved amicably.
Moreover, the Chairman of the NPC indicated that the NPC had a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the former Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Force about the Ashaiman military incident. He revealed that the council has a planned meeting with the current Chief of Defense in a couple of weeks to further discuss the details of the incident.
Also, Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi revealed that the NPC, as a mediator, does not have a stance regarding the current anti-LGBTQ bill ruckus. He clarified that members of the council that belong to other institutions such as the Christian, Islamic, and Traditional institutions may have their stance on the issue. “For us as a council will not take a position…we are waiting to see how this whole thing unfolds. Assuming there comes a situation and we are called in, we will not be seen as being biased” he argued.
Preparations For The Election
More so, the Chairman of the NPC disclosed that the council has made essential preparations for ensuring peace during the 2024 General Elections. He indicated that the NPC sent a petition to the former Chief Justice concerning the possible shortening of the adjudication process of the Parliamentary elections. He emphasized that the NPC will meet with the current Chief Justice again to discuss the issue concerning the reform.
Accordingly, Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi revealed that the NPC still has issues from the last Parliamentary elections pending, however the council will be concluding on the issues of the Presidential elections in forty-two (42) days.
He also specified that the council had had meetings with the IGP and the CDS concerning ensuring calm at the poll. He revealed that the NPC in a dialogue it had with the police and political parties concerning security in Parliamentary by-election revealed that the civilians and other parties felt that the police were in bed with the government in power. He indicated that the outcome of the dialogue ensured peace at subsequent Parliamentary by-elections.
“The police story is that they favor the opposition more than the current government in all the things they do because if they become a little strong-handed, people feel they are in bed with the government. That was what came out and we were all surprised and then all the parties were there. Sometimes it is a certain perception”.
Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi
Dr. Ernest further stated that the NPC met with the various political parties four times within the last year, 2023, and once during this year to dialog about means of ensuring peace during the impending General Elections. He indicated that the NPC has introduced a code of conduct to guide the various political parties and the general public during the elections.
“We are not resting, because we know what is involved in this election and all of us are concerned. We want to do the best we can to ensure that not even a single life is lost at the end of the day. Elections can be held peacefully”.
Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi
The National Peace Council has played an essential role in ensuring peaceful coexistence among Ghanaians over the years. As the 2024 General Elections approach, Ghanaians have the responsibility to collaborate with the NPC and other institutions to ensure national peace.
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