Workers must uphold the peace this election year

Workers form a very large constituency in the country with about 10 million of the population in that category.

By virtue of that fact as well as the economic power they wield in their families and the nation at large, they have great influence on not only issues in the home and community but also concerns of national importance.

Their influence, however, can be used in a negative or positive way, which is why the Daily Graphic joins the leadership of the Trades Union Congress’ (TUC’s) call on workers to ensure that peace prevails in the country before, during and after Election 2016.

Elections are always very crucial events because they determine the fate of any country, and whether the people would have the right atmosphere to develop or excel in their chosen endeavours.

We know that the call for peace during this year’s election may seem a flogged issue, but we believe that as peace cannot be bought with any amount of money, it is better to flog it than be sorry later because we took our peace for granted.

The limited registration of people who have just turned 18 and others who have not registered as yet to vote in any national election is currently underway. 

We urge all workers to sensitise their colleagues to the need to maintain the peace during this year’s election but we equally urge all workers to desist from acts that may be inimical to the peaceful conduct of the elections.

Various stakeholders have already stated that the current voters register is bloated and contains the names of minors, deceased persons or foreigners, which is why we must not do anything to further put the authenticity of the register, which would determine who qualifies to vote, in doubt. 

If we allow that to happen we would be jeopardising the future of the hardworking people of the country because any chaos that arises because of that would ultimately result in collapsed companies, infrastructure, lost jobs and livelihoods.

We urge workers not to be swayed by the vain promises of self-seeking politicians or enticed by any financial inducements to push their children to register when they know very well that they have not as yet attained age 18, which makes them eligible to vote in elections.

We also ask those who are unemployed not to succumb to any material or financial inducements and think that would put bread on their table.

The Daily Graphic believes that the unemployed stand a better chance of landing good jobs if the country remains stable to allow more jobs to be created.

We laud the choice of the theme for this year’s May Day celebration by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and organised labour, which is, “Election 2016 – The role of workers in securing peaceful election for national development.”

Let us as proud workers of Ghana, walk the talk by staying true to the theme to ensure a peaceful Election 2016 and, subsequently, a stable society where all can be guaranteed sustained livelihoods.