By Dennis Peprah
Sunyani, Nov. 24, GNA – The National Peace Council (NPC) has been urged to prioritise justice and fairness, ahead of the December 7 polls.
Mr Raphael Ahenu, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Sunyani-based Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), a human rights and anti-corruption media advocacy non-government organisation gave the advice, saying, “as the NPC advocates a peaceful election 2024, they must also advocate fairness too.
” Describing general elections as the cornerstone of democracy that offered the electorates the opportunity to shape the nation’s future, Mr Ahenu said the NPC ought to contribute proactively to tackling election challenges that could threaten peace and stability.
“Some of those emerging challenges include electoral fraud and riggings which the NPC must also centre their peace messages around,” Mr Ahenu told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Sunyani.
“Elections should be a celebration of democracy, not a source of division; and to achieve that we must ensure that the process is just and fair, leaving no room for doubt or conflict,” he stated.
Besides peace building, Mr Ahenu urged the NPC to actively engage all election stakeholders, including political parties, Electoral Commission, the media and the civil society towards fostering a transparent and credible Election 2024.
“A key concern is the integrity of the electoral process. Every vote must count, and every voice must be heard,” he stated, and called on the Council to work closely with the electoral management body in ensuring that the voting process was free from manipulation, with results accurately reported.
Mr Ahenu also highlighted the importance of addressing electoral grievances promptly, and fairly, saying “disputes are inevitable, but how we handle them determines whether peace prevails”.
“The Peace Council should therefore establish mechanisms for expeditious and impartial resolution of electoral disputes before they escalate,” he said.
Mr Ahenu also called for a concerted approach to combating misinformation and hate speech which could potentially inflame passions and tension and stressed the need to hold the media and political actors accountable for their utterances, actions and inactions.
“The Peace Council must also be in the forefront to promote responsible communication and fact-checking,” he stated, and pointed out the need for the nation to ensure an all-inclusive participation in the voting process on December 7.
“Women, youth, and marginalized groups must be encouraged and supported to participate fully and exercise their franchise,” said, adding “their involvement is crucial for a representative and harmonious society”.
“As the nation stands on the brink of another democratic milestone, we must all remind ourselves, uphold and defend the principles that underpin true democracy,” he stated, adding, “justice and fairness are not just ideals; they are necessities for peace.”
GNA