Put the peace of the nation ahead of self-serving agenda

The Deputy Ashanti Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms Georgina Opoku Amankwaah, has urged politicians to put the peace and security of the nation ahead of self-serving political ambition. They should do everything to remove acrimony and animosity from their electioneering campaigns as preparation towards this year’s presidential and parliamentary polls intensifies. She was speaking at a public forum held in Kumasi by the African Neighbours Foundation (AFN), a local non governmental organisation, to help promote a violent-free election. It brought together representatives of the various political parties, chiefs, assembly-members and youth groups. Ms Amankwaah said it was incumbent on all to assist grow the country’s democracy by avoiding acts likely to trigger violence. She appealed to the political parties and their supporters to be more civil and responsible in the way they conduct themselves, do away with vulgar language and vilification of their opponents. They need to respect the rights, views and opinions of each other. She counseled the Youth not to allow themselves to be manipulated by those out to create confusion and tear the nation apart. Mr Alex Sakyi Manu, Assistant Director at the Electoral Commission (EC), noted that with the introduction of the biometric voters’ registration, malpractices and other problems that tended to be associated with elections would be checked. He, however, warned against double registration and said offenders would be prosecuted. He invited all stakeholders to collaborate with the EC to make the December general polls free, fair, transparent and credible. Mr Kwesi Quainoo, Ashanti Regional Director of the National Service Scheme, urged Churches and other civil society organizations to help the people to appreciate the need to protect the nation’s democracy.