Let us desist from acts that could attract violence - Nyame

Mr. Lawrence Nyame, Obuasi West District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has urged political party activists to conduct themselves well in order not to plunge the country into chaos.

He said violent extremism and terrorist activities currently going on in some countries in the West African subregion posed a serious challenge to the preservation of democratic governance.

It was, therefore, important for every Ghanaian to desist from any negative act that could allow these extremists to take advantage and destabilize the country.

Mr. Nyame made the call at an Inter-party dialogue committee meeting organized by the NCCE under the auspices of the European Union (EU), for political leaders and other key stakeholders in the Obuasi West District.

The forum was aimed at working closely with stakeholders in averting violent extremism, promoting peaceful coexistence and cohesion before, during, and after the December general elections.

Mr. Nyame noted that as the country prepared towards this year’s election, it was imperative that steps were taken to prevent electioneering activities and platforms that could influence the perpetuation of violence either by internal or external forces.

He said even though the country had successfully conducted presidential and parliamentary elections eight times in succession, culminating in peaceful transition and transfer of political power from a ruling party to opposition and vice versa, there was still the need not to be complacent about violent extremism.

Mr. Nyame urged all stakeholders to collaborate effectively to confront the challenges of violent extremism through concerted efforts throughout the 2024 electioneering period and beyond.

Nana Yaa Boatemaa, who represented the Obuasi West Office of the Electoral Commission (EC), advised the political parties to use peaceful means to address all concerns.

Police Inspector Sebastian Yankyerah, who represented the Ghana Police Service, advised the youth not to allow politicians to use them for violence and urged all to embrace peace before, during, and after the election.

Participants were drawn from political parties, religious groups, traditional authorities, the electoral commission, people with disabilities, and the media, among others.

The members reaffirmed their commitment to promote peace before, during, and after the 2024 general election.

Source: GNA