By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, Nov. 26, GNA – Mr. Daniel Felix Ayibontey, an organizer with the Community Partnership for Citizens Action and Development (COPCAD), has urged the youth to take the lead in promoting peace as Ghana approaches the December elections.
He encouraged young people to embrace unity and mutual understanding, which are essential for ensuring a violence-free election period.
Mr. Ayibontey made the call last weekend during a peace walk dubbed Community Actions for Free and Fair Elections 2024 (CAFFE2024) in Accra.
The CAFFE2024 walk was part of broader efforts to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections as Ghana prepared for another democratic milestone.
The event, organized in collaboration with the KGL Foundation, saw hundreds of youth and children marching through Jamestown and surrounding areas, advocating messages of tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence.
Participants carried placards with slogans such as: “Peace, love, and unity. The Ghanaian way!”, “One nation, one voice, peace forever”, “Violence threatens the integrity of the nation”, “Choose diplomacy and understanding over conflict.”
Other messages included: “Pregnant women need a peaceful society”, “Peaceful coexistence, our greatest asset”, “My hero is the politician who accepts defeat”, “Think about our children before putting up a fight. #ZeroViolence”, and “One nation, one voice, peace forever.”
Mr. Ayibontey expressed concern over the role some political parties played in encouraging malpractices that could disrupt the electoral process.
He urged participants to protect vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
“We only have one Ghana, so we must recognise the importance of peace and unity,” he said.
Mr. Ayibontey highlighted the transformation underway in the Odododiodio constituency, once regarded as a political hotspot.
“The youth here are more educated now and cannot be easily manipulated. We are fostering patriotism and discouraging short-term gains that often result in long-term chaos,” he added.
He outlined various initiatives COPCAD and the KGL Foundation had undertaken, which included stage performances, stakeholder dialogues, and an active social media campaign, all aimed at fostering harmony ahead of the elections.
Mr. Ayibontey urged politicians to prioritise Ghana’s stability above personal ambitions.
“It is Ghana that gives you the platform for political rallies. Without Ghana, there is no election to contest. The true hero is the leader who accepts defeat peacefully,” he said.
Miss Delphina Addo-Dankyi, a student and participant in the peace walk, commended the initiative for fostering unity and reshaping perceptions of the Odododiodio constituency.
“The youth here are wiser now and understand the consequences of political violence. We hope this
“Without peace, chaos will prevail, and lives and property could be lost. Ghana is known as a peaceful country, and we must work together to uphold that reputation,” she said.
Founded in 2011, COPCAD is a people-centered, action-research, capacity-building social development agency committed to grassroots community development. Its mission is to empower and enable disadvantaged communities to drive their own development initiatives.
COPCAD is focused on promoting inclusivity in electoral processes by creating platforms for marginalized groups—such as women, persons with disabilities, and socially excluded populations in underserved communities—to actively participate in elections.
Through interactive forums, these groups will engage with parliamentary candidates and political parties, ensuring their voices are heard in the development of party manifestos.
Additionally, COPCAD aims to educate the youth on the importance of violence-free and fair elections, thereby contributing to the sustainability of Ghana’s democracy and peace.
The primary objective of CAFFE2024 is to create platforms that enable vulnerable and marginalised groups—such as poor women, the physically challenged, the visually and hearing impaired, and other excluded populations in four districts—to participate meaningfully in electoral processes and issues-based campaigning.
This is expected to be achieved before the conclusion of Ghana’s 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
GNA