By Emelia B. Addae
Akuapem-Akropong (E/R), Sept. 09, GNA – A new Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) has been inaugurated in Akuapem-Akropong supervised by the Akuapem North Municipal office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to ensure free, fair, transparent, and peaceful general election.
It also aims to promote peaceful coexistence and unity in the constituency as well as discourage tension and rancour among citizens before, during and after this year’s crucial elections.
The committee is comprised of representatives from civil society groups, security services, independent governance institutions, and different political parties. The executives were elected under the supervision of the Electoral Commission and subsequently sworn into office with the peace-building oath.
Present during the inaugural meeting were, participants from the Traditional Council, Christian Council of Churches, Electoral Commission, Civil Society and community-based organizations, Political Parties, Security Services, and the Media were present.
Several speakers stressed the significance of non-partisan discussions to promote peace and unity, irrespective of political differences.
Addressing participants on behalf the Municipal Chief Executive, the Coordinating Director of Akuapem North Municipal Assembly Alhaji Mohammed Shamrock Gafaru, said that it was of interest to everyone that a committee of this magnitude should be formed.
He said, “party go, and party come” but the country would always remain the same and explained that this was why there should not be any tension and rancour among the voting public in elections.
Looking at the political history of Akuapem North in respect to previous elections, he noted that, the enclave sticks its neck out as one of the peaceful areas in eastern region and Ghana as a whole.
He congratulated the people and pleaded that they should not deviate from the trend but keep that fair value.
He also encouraged all participants to pay attention and assimilate the presentations to make the coming election a free, fair, peaceful, and transparent one.
On her part, Mrs Benedicta Duvor, the Director of NCCE for Akuapem North Municipality, observed that the manner all stakeholders responded swiftly to the clarion call for the IPDC meeting indicated victory already.
She took participants through Act 452 and Article 233 of the 1992 Constitution that mandated the NCCE in the performance of its duties.
She emphasised the effects of money in Ghanaian politics, information disorders that militate against credibility, as well as peace and tranquility of elections in the country.
Mrs Duvor called on members to carry the message of peace and unity to the nuke and cranny of their communities.
Nana Sakyi Agyarkwa III, Akropong-Akuapem traditional council representative, on behalf of Okuapehene, asked committee members and other stakeholders to have patience and employ tactfulness in their quest of deliberating with the public, especially in this crucial time of election season.
He prayed the committee would work with a sense of purpose and agency by focusing on the elections and advised that the security services should be on red alert to arrest and bring to book any individual who wanted to perpetrate violence.
He called on the members of the committee and executives to be truthful in their roles and dealings with the public, adding that “election is not war but expression of one’s opinion.”
“We are one people through inter-marriages. If we allow electoral anecdotes and differences to separate us then we are immature and not fair to ourselves,” he added.
Rev. Fred Kwayisi-Darkwah was elected chairman while Madam Mercy Nuerki Agblah was chosen as vice chairperson with the Secretary mantle falling on Mr. Eric Ocloo and vice secretary going to Ms. Abigail A. Ofori while Assistant Superintendent of Police Lydia Wemegah was the organizer.
The Akuapem North Electoral Commission officer, Mr Solomon Angaaga, led both executives and members of the IPDC in separate instances to swear in the peace-building oath.
GNA