By Benjamin Akoto
Sunyani, Sept. 06, GNA-The Sunyani Municipal Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) has reaffirmed their commitment to ensure that the December 7, polls is conducted peacefully in the Municipality.
It said as a collective responsibility, the Committee was ready to build and strengthen cooperation among the various political party actors in the area.
The IPDC serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among political parties, and other election stakeholders and tackles electoral concerns, promotes tolerance, and mitigates potential conflicts.
The Committee members made the commitment at a meeting in Sunyani, organised by the Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), which also coincided with the inauguration of a five-member Executive Committee of the IPDC.
The composition of the five-member executive committee comprises representatives of the People’s National Convention (PNC), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana Federation of Disabled Association, NCCE, and Market Women Association.
Mr Benjamin Kyere, the Sunyani Municipal Director of NCCE highlighted the mandate of the IPDC and asked the committee to monitor and tackle issues that could potentially disturb the prevailing peace in the municipality.
He said those issues included the defacing of posters of political parties and candidates, the use of inappropriate language and the spreading of fake news that could create political, religious and ethnic tensions.
Mr Kyere advised political parties and their following to endeavour to remain tolerant and respect the differing views of their opponents in the 2024 electioneering.
“By promoting fairness and understanding in all political activities, we can reduce tension and foster harmony, unity, and true democracy,” he added.
Mr Kyere said intolerance threatened the gains of the nation’s fledgling democracy, saying it was crucial for everybody to refrain from engaging in acts of intolerance for the greater good of peace and national unity.
Chief Inspector Simms Anane Mensah, the Administrator at the Sunyani District Police, called for effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the local community and entreated the public to support the police to fish out criminals.
The Reverend Joseph Danquah, a representative of the Christian Council, advised members of the public to contribute to peace and sustenance for a harmonious society.
He also advised political party communicators to refrain from the use of abusive words and centre their discourses on issues that would empower the electorate to make informed decisions when they go to the ballot on December 7.
The Committee later underlined the need to organise peace and fun games political parties, faith-based groups, and social organizations to diffuse potential tensions, promote unity in diversity and thereby, enhance peaceful co-existence.
GNA