Deal ruthlessly with perpetrators of violence. Machomen for Good and Justice
Machomen for Good and Justice, an association of body builders working for peace in the country, has asked state security to deal ruthlessly with any macho man caught engaging in any electoral malfeasance during this years election.
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The group has also asked that politicians who engage machomen in various acts of violence and intimidation during elections must not be spared either when they are caught.
The National President of the group, Mr Gilbert Ntiamoah Polos, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said Ghanaians could not be complacent in their efforts to sustain their prevailing peace.
“There are still hot spots around the country and we cannot relent in the efforts to ensure peace at all times,” he stated.
Disturbing habits
Mr Polos disclosed that some politicians were still in the disturbing habits of buying guns and fatal weapons for vigilante groups in the run-up to the November 7, 2016 election.
Mr Polos said that trend needed to be halted by the security agencies if the country’s fledgling democracy was to be maintained and peace upheld in the country at all times.
Mr Polos, however, said Ghana is bigger than any political party and so it was incumbent on all to work for peace at all times and not only before, during and after elections.
He also called on political parties to commit to peace and stop using the idle youth to perpetrate violence and mayhem during elections.
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“It is peace we need and when peace is in Ghana, progress will reign,” Mr Polos stated.
Appeal for support
According to Mr Polos, since 2012 when the Machomen for Good and Justice was formed, it had pledged never to become tools for intimidation and violence, particularly during elections, and the group had been working hard continuously for peace in the country.
The group, whose key objective is to avoid partisan politics, has, therefore, appealed for continuous support to enable it to move to ghettos, Zongo communities and religious institutions to preach for a violence-free, fair and peaceful 2016 election.
The group has about, 6000 members throughout the country. It has appealed for support in the form of pick-up vehicles, motor bikes, T shirts and offices in order to make them efficient.
Macho phenomenon
The macho phenomenon has been part of the country’s electoral system since the dawn of the Fourth Republic in 1992.
Over the years, concerns have been raised by various governance and civil society organisations over their roles in elections. Many have also called on political parties not to create or deploy parallel security in their electoral campaigns and ballot watching activities.
Indeed, it will be recalled that the two major political parties - the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have in recent times been trading accusations against each other for training and using muscled men in electoral related activities.
Why conflict
According to Mr Polos, conflicts come about because of unfulfilled promises made for electoral gains or victory.
He said some political actors also inflamed passions during elections.
All these, Mr Polos said, constituted low points and did not help our democracy to thrive.