‘Exhibit peaceful conduct for violence-free election’
With this year’s general election just three months away, political actors, the media and the general public have been advised to exhibit conduct that will promote peace.
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According to the Sempe Mantse, Nii Adote Otintor II, peace should not be just a message that people propagate but it should be the ultimate aim in all activities, especially those related to the elections.
“We all talk about peace but we need to put the peace in practice by tolerating divergent views and accepting the fact that other people’s views matter just like ours,’’ he said.
Nii Otintor made the comments last Saturday when members of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) –Ghana, a Buddhist sect, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace at James Town in Accra.
Peace proposal
The leadership and members of SGI were at the palace to present a peace proposal to encourage the people of the area and the general public to promote peace in relation to the December polls.
The document emphasised the need for all stakeholders in the upcoming election to conduct themselves in ways that would not jeopardise the peace and tranquillity of the country.
It also called on stakeholders such as political parties, the Electoral Commission, security agencies and the general public to take a sober reflection of the country’s envious democratic credentials and ensure that the polls are free and fair.
Unity
Receiving the proposal, Nii Otintor observed that people ought to appreciate the fact that people of different backgrounds had coexisted and cooperated peacefully even before the country became one political entity.
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“Why should we be divided as we prepare to elect leaders who will shepherd this country for the next four years,’’ he asked.
He further urged people to support whoever would be elected as President to help propel the country to greater heights.
“No matter your political affiliation, you need to support the person who wins the polls because Ghana’s development requires the input of everybody,’’ he said.
The Accra Regional head of SGI, Mr Simon Ampadu, said all stakeholders in the general election must learn from the experiences of other countries which had been plunged into election-related crisis.
“Instead of conflict, let us use constructive dialogue and abhor violence,’’ he said.