By Yussif Ibrahim
New Edubiase (Ash), Sept. 05, GNA – The 2024 general election presents a perfect opportunity for Ghana to demonstrate to the global community that it has come of age in terms of democratic governance, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has said.
Mr Charles Gyimah, the Adansi South District Director, NCCE, said a successful election this year would enhance the reputation of Ghana as a beacon of democracy in the sub-region, which has witnessed incessant coup d’état lately.
He said the 2024 election was the ninth election being conducted in Ghana since the country returned to constitutional rule in 1992, a feat that would be another feather in the cap of Ghanaians.
The District Director, who was speaking at the inauguration of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) at New Edubiase, entreated the leadership of political parties to commit themselves to peaceful elections before, during and after December 7.
The IPDC, an initiative of the NCCE, is a peace-building mechanism aimed at addressing issues that could potentially threaten peace in the district as the 2024 election approaches.
It is made up of representatives from security agencies, youth and women groups, traditional authorities, persons with disability, NCCE, and the Electoral Commission (EC).
Mr Gyimah entreated members of the Committee to actively participate in its activities geared towards maintaining peace throughout the electoral processes.
He urged political parties to engage in civil campaigns devoid of insults and character assassinations in order not to trigger violence among their teeming supporters.
Political activists must also be wary of sharing fake information, which had the tendency to fuelling mistrust and tension in the heavily polarised political landscape.
Mrs Mercy Anin-Kuffour, the District Director of the EC, walked members of the committee through the calendar of the EC, saying that her doors were always open to all stakeholders.
Mr John Kpobi, the District Crime Officer, entreated political parties to abide by the rules and regulations that governed their activities, assuring that the police were prepared to provide maximum security in the district ahead of the elections.
The Rev. John Agyenkwa, Chairman of the Committee, advised members, especially political parties, that politics was only a contest of ideas and must not degenerate into violence for any reason.
He said that development would elude the people without peace and that they should unite to progress in the area, irrespective of their political differences.
The IPDC comprises political parties, faith-based organisations, traditional authorities, EC, NCCE, persons with disability, youth groups, and security services among others.
GNA