Let’s use non-violent means to resolve conflicts — Peace Council

The Chairman of the National Peace Council (NPC), Rev. Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, has urged political parties, institutions and citizens to use non-violent means to resolve conflicts. 

“Disagreements are inevitable in any democracy, but how we choose to address them will determine whether we build a peaceful and prosperous nation or one divided by violence and mistrust.”

“We have a choice to make in the upcoming elections; a choice between peace and violence. I implore you all to choose peace, for now is the time to safeguard our democracy and work together to build a peaceful nation for generations to come,” he said.

The chairman was speaking at a stakeholders’ forum on the theme: “Building trust among stakeholders for a peaceful 2024 general election in Ghana.”

It was organised by the NPC, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for West Africa and Sahel (UNOWAS).

Rev. Adu-Gyamfi said the theme was based on shared responsibility to ensure that the upcoming election was conducted peacefully to strengthen the nation’s democracy and prevailing unity, rather than a mere political exercise.

He expressed regret that elections, which ought to be a peaceful means for people to select their leaders, had turned into hotspots for violence leading to the loss of life and property.

The chairman said that the country was also confronted with unresolved chieftaincy disputes, communal conflicts, and other social tensions that had the potential to undermine peace and stability. 

Mandate

Rev. Dr Adu-Gyamfi further said that the council remained committed to fulfilling its mandate of facilitating and developing mechanisms for conflict prevention, management and resolution.

He said they hoped to create an environment where all citizens would feel safe and secure during and after the elections.

“Whether we are engaging in political discussions on social media, conversing with friends and family or participating in campaign activities, we must conduct ourselves with the utmost respect for one another.

“Our words and actions have the power to either promote peace or incite conflict. Let us choose peace,” the chairman added.He admonished the people to cherish the values of tolerance, love for neighbours, transparency and accountability, saying they were essential in building trust for a prosperous nation.

A former Special Representative of UNOWAS, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambers, stressed the need for the citizenry to remain vigilant during electioneering, while entreating the judiciary to ensure speedy adjudication and impartial delivery of justice.

He said the maintenance of peace was a shared responsibility and, therefore, called on stakeholders to play their respective part well so that the country would remain peaceful and united after the elections.

The chairman of the Coalition for Domestic Elections Observers (CODEO), Albert Arhin, called on the police to take immediate action to punish electoral offenders to serve as a deterrent to others.

The US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, urged political parties to use constitutional processes to resolve election disputes.