The Omanhene of Ntotroso Traditional Council, Barima Twereku Ampem III has appealed to political parties and their supporters in the Asutifi North Constituency to protect the area’s peace by employing clean and decent campaign methods.
He noted, a lot of things happen during and after elections and expressed worry about insults, name-calling and the use of intemperate language and warned it will not be tolerated in the area.
He lamented the area which used to be peaceful was fast gaining notoriety for political violence and cited disturbances during the limited registration exercised when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP), Benhazin Joseph Daha was attacked.
The Omanhene, Barima Twereku Ampem III, conveyed the sentiments of the Traditional Councils at a meeting organised by the Asutifi North District Election Taskforce (ANDET) with support from Kenyasi No.1, Kenyasi No.2, Ntotroso and Wamahinso Traditional Councils for candidates and their political parties to demonstrate their commitment to peace during and after the elections in December.
He appealed to the media to be circumspect in their reportage saying it was important for them to act responsibly and avoid reports that could plunge the country into conflict.
The three political parties certified by the Electoral Commission (EC) in the constituency, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) attended with their Parliamentary Candidates and executives.
Taking turns to pledge their commitment to peace, the District Chief Executive (DCE) and Parliamentary Candidate of the NDC, Eric Addae said he and his party have demonstrated enough commitment to peace in the constituency having lost the three previous elections and yet accepted the results.
He noted his achievements as a DCE for 8 years is his sure bet for victory in the December election and appealed to residents to vote massively for the NDC.
The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) candidate, Nana Appiah Gyekye, for his part said the party’s ideology was built on peace and never engages in violence.
He indicated party members in the area always preach peace because they have the nation’s development at heart and blamed all the country’s electoral violence to the NPP and NDC.
He however appealed to the chiefs and stakeholders to ensure the EC discharge its duties in a professional manner.
The Incumbent NPP Member of Parliament, Benhazin Joseph Daha noted peace was important and therefore called for collaboration from all stakeholders to promote peace.
On what the NPP is doing to make sure there are peaceful elections, he said even though he was attacked during the limited registration exercise, he appealed to supporters not to retaliate but rather step up their issue-based campaign.
He tasked the EC and the security agencies to be firm in the application of the law.
Participants during an open forum commended the ANDET and called for more citizen engagement on the electoral process and laws. They also appealed to the security agencies and the EC to be strict, professional and fair to all parties in the implementation of the law.
citifmonline.com/Ghana
Comments