By Philip Tengzu
Wechiau, (UW/R), Nov. 24, GNA – Some youth in the Wa West and the Sissala West Districts have participated in street march to drum home the importance of peace and stability in Ghana as the 2024 general election approaches.
The Upper West Regional Department of Gender organised the floats in the two districts as part of the implementation of the joint UNFPA/UNDP Peace Building Fund (PBF) project in the two districts.
The participants were youth drawn from the project communities in those districts-Jeffisi, Zini and Fielemon communities in the Sissala West District and Kpila, Oli and Dorimon communities in the Wa West District.
Security personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana National Fire Service also took part in the floats.
The participants wielded placards some of which read, “We are one people with a common interest”, “Ghana is all we have, let’s protect it” and “Let’s build Ghana together in Unity” among others to community ideal message of peace before, during and after the December 7 election.
Addressing the participants at separate events in two districts, Madam Charity Batuure, the Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Gender, urged the youth to jealously uphold the nation’s peace before, during and after the election.
She told the youth that Ghana was an island of peace in the West Africa sub-region and in the event of violence in Ghana they would have nowhere to run to due to violent activities in the neighbouring countries.
“If you look at what is happening in our neighbouring countries we have become the only island of peace.
If you think of running over there when there is violence, please they are also running over here, so let us protect our peace,” she explained.
Madam Vida Diorotey, the Wa West District Chief Executive, said politicians were pursuing their political interest and advised the youth not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause trouble for their personal interest.
“All of you standing here should be peace ambassadors because you are the ones we the politicians always use and if you are not careful you will be pushed into a ditch and when the politician is okay, he or she moves away to enjoy his or her power”, she stated.
Madam Diorotey also appealed to the youth to support the security agencies in the discharge of their duties to ensure peace prevailed in the country.
Inspector Naomi Tanoh of the Sissala West District Command of the Ghana Police Service, cautioned the youth against engaging in any negative act at the polling stations that could disrupt the election because anyone caught in that act would be prosecuted.
Mr Fatawu Kalvei, a youth from the Jeffisi community, acknowledged the importance of peace for young people to engage in their economic and social activities.
He gave the assurance that they would serve as peace ambassadors in their respective communities.
GNA