Don't allow yourselves to be used by politicians - Songhai Chief advises youth

The youth, especially those in Muslim communities across the country, have been advised not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to create violence before, during and after the December 7 general election.

The Songhai Youth Chief of Pankrono-Adabraka in the Ashanti, Baba Issah Ahmed, gave the advice at a forum christened "Quaran Recitation for Peaceful Elections-2024", held at the Markaz Salafiya Central Mosque at Pankrono- Adabraka, last Sunday.

He urged the youth to be responsible citizens and contribute their quota to safeguard the peace of the country before, during and after the elections.

"This is not the time to allow yourselves to be induced by politicians and people in authority", he said and urged them to prioritise the country’s well-being first, in any decision they took, which might have dire consequences on the stability of the country ahead of the polls.

"Why would you do anything wayward or unlawful to favour a presidential candidate or a political party, when you know those deeds could ruin the security and sanctity of the peace we have enjoyed over the years?” Baba Ahmed asked.

Event

The solemn occasion brought together traditional leaders, officials of the Electoral Commission (EC), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Ghana Police Service, who took the opportunity to school the congregation in their mandates and how poised they were ahead of the elections.

The Chief Imam of Pankrono-Adabraka, Imam Alhassan Ali, led the congregation in prayers to appease Allah, to take absolute control over the upcoming elections. 

Also in attendance was the Otumfuo's Atafuahene, Nana Kwadwo Arhin II.

Ethnocentrism

Baba Ahmed said the introduction of ethnocentrism in choosing a leader for the country was worrying, and that arriving on a leader based on his or her religion was baseless and definitely had dire consequences on the development of the country.

"Why should you vote based on your religious affiliations with a candidate? Do you have to vote for someone because he or she is from your hometown? He asked participants, stressing the need for voters to vote for people with integrity and ones who had the progress of the country at heart.

Police/EC

The Pankrono District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Joseph Engmen, took the congregation through the things they needed to know in order not to flout election regulations, since the police would not leave no stone unturned in putting such perpetrators to order.

He gave an assurance that the Police were well equipped ahead of the elections, but however, called for the support of the populace in providing them with information to help prevent any disturbances before, during and after the polls.

The Regional Director of the EC, Francis Osei Nsiah, for his part, advised voters to leave the various polling stations after casting their votes, and return to the centres at 5pm to witness the counting of ballots, which he said, was key in ensuring an orderly electioneering process, and assured Ghanaians of a free and fair elections.