Eric Adjei, the Deputy Regional Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Bono Region has described the call by National Peace Council for free and fair elections in the upcoming 2024 elections as ‘hypocritical’.
Eric Adjei’s critique of the National Peace Council’s ineffectiveness and irresponsiveness, particularly in addressing alleged injustices committed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, highlighted a broader issue of accountability and transparency in governance.
Adjei’s comment underscored the importance of the National Peace Council’s role in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, as outlined in the “National Peace Council Act, 2011 (Act 818), Section 2”. This role is crucial in a democratic society where peace and justice are fundamental values.
Eric Adjei, Dep. Regional Communications Officer-NDC
The ineffectiveness and unresponsiveness of the National Peace Council in addressing alleged injustices, as the Deputy Regional Communications Officer suggested, raises questions about the council’s mandate and its ability to fulfil its objectives.
It reflects a concern over the council’s capacity to serve as a neutral, impartial body that can effectively intervene in conflicts and address grievances, particularly when they involve allegations of government’s misconduct.
“While advocating for free and fair elections is commendable, true peace and fairness cannot be achieved without addressing past injustices and holding perpetrators accountable”.
Eric Adjei, Dep. Regional Communications Officer-NDC
The Deputy Regional Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for Bono Region highlighted a significant concern regarding the National Peace Council’s response to past incidents of violence and brutality, including the Techiman South and Ayawaso West incidents, Delta Force members invading the court, attacks on journalists, the appointment of known New Patriotic Paty (NPP) member Appiahene as an EC Official, and the recruitment of New Patriotic Paty (NPP) vigilantes in the security service.
Eric Adjei emphasized that the National Peace Council’s silence or lack of action in these incidents could undermine its credibility and effectiveness in promoting genuine peace and justice in Ghana’s electoral processes.
Eric Adjei again criticized the National Peace Council’s (NPC) selective silence on past incidents of violence and brutality. This raises questions about the National Peace Council’s commitment to impartiality and its willingness to confront uncomfortable truths in the pursuit of genuine peace and democracy. This critique is particularly relevant in the context of Ghana’s political landscape, where the National Peace Council’s role in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and the promotion of justice is critical.
“It is important to indicate that, election is a process and not an event. In that light, any action or inaction that has the potential to cause chaos and undermine the will of the Ghanaian voters must be condemned”.
Eric Adjei, Dep. Regional Communications Officer-NDC
Promoting Accountability and Fostering Culture of Justice
To address the concern raised by Eric Adjei regarding the appointment of political appointees like Appiahene to the Electoral Commission (EC), which could potentially undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the National Peace Council’s (NPC) call for free and fair elections, “they must first ensure the removal of political appendages like Appiahene who has been appointed unto the Electoral Commission”. Independent appointments to the EC, made through transparent and merit-based processes, can help maintain its credibility and effectiveness in conducting free and fair elections.
“Also, the NPP’s foot soldiers who have been recruited into the National Security and were used to cause mayhem at the Ayawaso by-election must be sacked immediately”.
Eric Adjei, Dep. Regional Communications Officer-NDC
Instead of only engaging in rhetoric, the Peace Council needs to adopt these and many more essential actions. In order to resolve all justifiable concerns expressed by the NDC and other Civil Society Organizations, the Peace Council “must be bold to call the President, his vice and the commissioners”.
Eric Adjei stressed that the national peace council must recognize and denounce all types of violence and election malpractice, irrespective of the affiliations of those who commit them, in order to properly carry out its duty. Ghanaian society can only advance toward a more inclusive and genuinely peaceful democratic process by resolving past grievances and guaranteeing accountability.
The NPC’s call for peaceful elections in 2024, as reported by the Western North Regional Secretariat of the NPC, emphasized the stability of the country and the need for political actors to act in the interest of peace and unity. This call for peace is contrasted with the incidents of violence and human rights violations that Adjei mentioned, suggesting a disconnect between the NPC’s public stance and its response to specific incidents.
Eric Adjei’s critique raises important questions about the role and effectiveness of the National Peace Council in addressing specific incidents of violence and human rights violations, as well as its stance on the upcoming 2024 elections. It underscored the need for the NPC to be more proactive and responsive in addressing these issues, in order to fulfil its mandate effectively and maintain its credibility in promoting peace and justice in Ghana’s electoral processes.
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