By Jesse Ampah Owusu/Muniratu Akweley Issah
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – The Right Reverend Samuel Osabutey, Greater Accra Regional Chairperson of the National Peace Council, has expressed confidence that political parties will sign this year’s election peace pact.
He acknowledged the delay and the growing issues surrounding the signing process but assured that the Council was actively engaging with the parties to address their concerns and suggestions.
“The National Peace Council stands for dialogue. Having been in the forefront of ensuring that a lot of documents and arrangements are made for sustainable peace, we also want to say that in our development of mechanisms for conflict resolution, we also believe in dialogue, diversity, listening to the other side,” he added.
Rev. Osabutey made the comments in an interview with the Ghana News Agency regarding the signing of the National Peace Council’s peace pact with political parties ahead of the December 7 elections.
He said the Council remained open to further negotiations and suggestions from stakeholders regarding their concerns on the pact.
Since the beginning of the year, Rev. Osabutey noted, the Council had been focused on building the capacities of individuals and institutions in peacebuilding and conflict prevention as part of preparations for the elections.
He explained that the mission of the Council was to facilitate and develop mechanisms for conflict prevention, conflict management, conflict resolution, and to build sustainable peace in the country.
Rev. Osabutey urged all political actors to be mindful of their words and actions, stressing that everything they say or do should contribute to peace and nation-building.
He also called on independent state institutions, such as the Electoral Commission and the Judiciary, to remain fair and transparent in their operations to ensure that no suspicions arose among political parties.
Former President John Dramani Mahama stated at the 2024 Peace Campaign that his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), would officially propose to
the National Peace Council to expand the signatories of the Peace Pact to include other key stakeholders in the elections.
He explained that including these institutions would ensure that all relevant parties play their roles effectively for a peaceful election.
“It is our hope that this will make the pact a more binding commitment to peace and not just a ceremonial piece of paper without any meaning,” Mahama added.
Since its establishment, the National Peace Council has encouraged political parties to sign a peace pact before every national election. This pact aims to ensure that parties agree to peaceful conduct and maintain decorum before, during, and after the elections.
However, this year’s process has faced delays and hesitations, particularly from the NDC, who have raised concerns about the conditions of the pact.
GNA