By Laudia Sawer
Tema, Nov. 13, GNA — The Tema Metropolitan Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) in collaboration with the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), has commenced a series of peace educations in Senior High Schools (SHSs) in the Tema metropolis.
The week-long sensitisation programme would see members of the IPDC engaging the students on peace, the electoral process, crime, religious tolerance, and the effect of misinformation and fake news on the peace of the country.
The schools to be visited in the Tema East and Tema Central Constituencies include the Tema Methodist Day SHS (MEDASS), Presbyterian SHS, Tema Technical Institute, Our Lady of Mercy SHS, Tema Industrial Mission, Chemu SHS, and Manhean Secondary Technical School.
Madam Gifty Agyeiwaa Badu, the Tema Metro NCCE Director, speaking to students of MEDASS, stated that Article 1 clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana put sovereignty of the country in the citizens, adding that the citizens delegate their powers to representatives through elections to govern the country.
Madam Badu said even though the constitution provides citizens with the opportunity to elect a president and members of parliament every four years, some people were using the process for bloodshed and engaging in violent activities.
She said the NCCE, in a bid to promote peace in Ghana’s electoral process, initiated the IPDC, which has representatives of religious organisations, identifiable groupings, political parties, and other stakeholders across all the 276 constituencies.
Reverend Francis Tetteh Guggisberg, the Tema Metro IPDC Chairperson, advised the youth to analyse and verify information they receive from the media before acting on it.
Reverend Guggisberg, who is also the pastor-in-charge of the Gateway Baptist Church, Tema, reminded them that some media outlets that belonged to politicians might churn out contents intended to mislead and incite violence, while others also publicise bad news to make money.
He further said social media also fuels misinformation and disinformation, cautioning them against sharing contents without verifying and stressing that “don’t just share what you see on social media; doing so can lead to causing fear. Remember that sometimes the media twist issues to favour their interests and make money.”
Nana Ogyedum Ama Tsetsewa I, the Tema Metro IPDC Vice-Chair, and Mankrado of Gomoa Oguan, Osumpahene of Gomoa Assin Traditional Council, shared her experience during the Liberia civil war.
Nana Tsetsewa, who is also Tema Fantefohene (Chief of Fantes in Tema), recalled how she and her daughter were fortunate to be part of the last evictees of Ghanaians from Liberia, noting that, “I was in Liberia, and one morning we could not do anything again because one person wanted to lead the country.”
She urged the youth not to choose money over the peace and tranquility of the country and cautioned them against engaging in violent activities and inciteful political and religious arguments.
“Start the peace from home; mind what you hear and what you share; walk away when arguments on politics are getting intense; don’t let the politicians use you to perpetrate electoral offences,” she added.
Sheikh Ali Adam, the aid to the Tema Metro Chief Imam, Alhaji Adam Abubakah, said Ghanaians are one people, explaining that all humans hail from one root, therefore it was not right to perpetuate violence against each other because of elections.
Sheikh Adam said peace must be the main focus of Ghanaians and they must stand united despite their different political ideologies.
GNA