The National Peace Council (NPC) in collaboration with Ghana-Turkey Cooperation and Development Association (TUDEC) has held the 12th National Dialogue and Peace Easter Dinner which aims at promoting peace among the various religions in the country.
The NPC also took advantage of the occasion to educate the public on the need for peace and harmony among the different religious, ethnic, and political groups during the December 7th General Polls.
The National Peace Council Executive Secretary, Mr. George Amoh, indicated that the NPC has undertaken several measures to ensure peace and stability during the General Elections in December.
“We set up what we call Political Trust Building Platform and for some time now this year, we have met our political leaders on several occasions. Indeed, we’ve written to the former President, the candidate for the NDC, and the candidate for the NPP that we want to meet them”.
Mr. George Amoh
Furthermore, the Executive Secretary of the NPC indicated that the Council plans to meet with other stakeholders who have a role to play in making the General Elections peaceful. He emphasized that the meeting with the stakeholders is essential because it also allows the NPC to have a clear idea of the opinions of the general public.
He revealed that the NPC will bring the candidates of the two major – the NDC and the NPP – political parties together to sign a peace pact to show their commitment to ensuring peace during the election. “We hope that when we approach them, they will once again come together and help assure this country that we will continue the path of peace we have all chosen” he added.
Furthermore, Mr. George Amoh urged the general public to contribute their quota to ensure peace and stability during the 2024 General Elections in December, emphasizing that every citizen must ensure peace in the country as it promotes democratic stability.
The Youth Advised To Desist From Violence
Speaking at the annual dinner, the Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, urged the youth from being manipulated by politicians to engage in violence. He stressed that the youth must not avail themselves to be used as tools of violence against each other and political opponents.
“Never accept that because you are human beings created for a purpose. So somebody’s interest should not be reduced to tools that can be used as tools to visit violence or wrath against political opponents. We must not spill the blood of anybody”.
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu
He further indicated that Ghanaians must be deliberate in their goal to attain sustainable peace not just during the election but in the daily activities of Ghanaians. He underscored the importance of peace in ensuring coherence among the different religious and ethnic groups in the country.
Moreover, the President of TUDEC, Mr. Cafer Tepeli, urged Ghanaians to uphold and strengthen the country’s current peace, indicating that Ghanaians must appreciate their ability to continuously ensure peace in a country that is religiously and culturally diverse.
He emphasized that Ghanaians must strive to emulate the values of tolerance, mutual respect, and cooperation advocated by the National Peace Council to build a just and compassionate society that goes beyond the election period.
Furthermore, Mr. Cafer Tepeli urged Ghanaians to be committed to using dialogues in solving conflicts that aim to attain reconciliation between the conflicting factions. He emphasized that dialogue is the surest and least costly tool used to resolve conflicts.
Conclusively, as the 2024 General Elections approaches, the National Peace Council has been relentless in its efforts to ensure a peaceful election. On other fronts, many Civil Society Organizations such as the Center for Democratic Development have also underscored the need to ensure peace during the December 7th elections.
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