By Eunice Tekie Tei
Tease (E/R), Sept. 20, GNA – The Afram Plains South National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has facilitated an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) meeting, cautioning citizens, particularly the youth, to help maintain peace and resolve conflicts throughout this year’s elections.
The programme served as a platform for interactive inter-party forums at the district, constituency, and ward levels, which aimed to initiate and sustain dialogue among stakeholders in the resolution of conflicts.
During an engagement with participants at Tease in the Kwahu Afram Plains South District, Mr. Joseph Nyarko, the District Director of the NCCE, said that the Committee acted as a buffer zone in the constituencies to stem the tide of unnecessary suspicions and anxiety among political parties.
To deepen collaboration between the NCCE, the Electoral Commission (EC), political parties, he said the youth, security agencies, district assemblies, traditional authorities, civil societies, and community leaders in the promotion of non-violent, peaceful, and transparent elections.
He said that monitoring breaches of the rules and regulations regarding the electoral process, investigating cases of abuse of the rules and regulations, and resolving petty conflicts had been a major concern to the institution.
He said that citizens were also educated on issues concerning misunderstandings affecting the electoral process, including issuing joint statements on political issues to defuse tension.
Mr. Nyarko stated that the institution had also organized seminars, workshops, and discussions to educate participants and the public on the rules and regulations regarding the electoral process.
The Director explained the negative effects of misinformation and disinformation towards the 2024 general elections.
He therefore outlined the duties of the committee and charged each member to play their part to ensure peace before, during, and after the 2024 general elections.
Afram Plains South District Commander of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) David Azurah urged political parties to abide by the political code of conduct to ensure a peaceful election.
A representative from the Electoral Commission, Mr. Kwadwo Addo, also explained procedures and processes put in place towards the 2024 general elections to educate citizens.
Present at the inaugural ceremony were representatives from traditional authorities, women’s groups, youth groups, political parties, security agencies, district assembly members, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other departmental heads.
GNA