By Emmanuel Gamson
Takoradi, Aug. 06, GNA-The Western Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called on religious leaders to use their pulpits to preach and promote peace ahead of the December 7 general elections.
Mr Justice Yaw Ennin, the Western Regional Director of the NCCE, who made the call said as leaders, it was imperative for them not to allow themselves to be used by people with parochial interests to mislead them into pursuing their congregants to make decisions that could jeopardised the peace and stability of the country.
He was speaking at a formation programme for priests at the 37th Session of the Western Presbytery, at Sekondi.
The session was held on the theme: “Towards Ensuring Peaceful Electioneering Campaign and Election 2024: The Role of the Priest.”
Touching on the theme, Mr Ennin noted that priests had significant roles to play in sustaining Ghana’s democracy and socio-economic development in general.
He said: “As priests, we must advocate peaceful and transparent elections and call on political parties and candidates to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the country’s democratic values.”
He continued: “As leaders of our churches, let us talk to our politicians to do away with politics of insults, and engage in politics of policies.”
The Western Region NCCE Director asked the priests to advocate issue-based campaigns that offered solutions to the country’s current developmental issues.
“We demand that our politicians undertake their campaigns based on what can improve upon the living conditions of the ordinary citizen. Campaigns that project national values and tolerance, devoid of provoking religious, cultural and ethnic tensions,” Mr Ennin noted.
He recognised the pivotal roles of the church in ensuring peaceful and credible elections over the years and asked them not to relent in their efforts to do the same before, during and after the upcoming December polls.
GNA