By Abebe Dawuni
Yendi (NR) Dec 6, GNA-Most Reverend Matthew Yitiereh Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Yendi has advised Ghanaians to do everything possible to avoid extremists’ attacks.
He said armed groups had over the years operated in the neighbouring countries of Cote d’Voire, Burkina Faso, Mali Niger, Togo, Benin and Nigeria with disruptive effects in several communities located in the countries.
He said 20 years ago no one could think the security of these countries could degenerate into the state they find themselves and therefore advised Ghanaians to take proactive measures to prevent similar situations.
Most Rev Yitiereh was delivering a welcome address as Northern Regional Peace Council chairman at a two-day workshop and a constituency peace pact signing at Yendi Peace Centre of northern region.
He also cautioned them against political, tribal and religious disputes at all entry and exit points as that could escalate.
The workshop and signing of the peace pact were organized by National Peace Council and sponsored by the Economic Community of West African States commission.
The Parliamentary candidates who signed the peace pact included Member of Parliament for Yendi constituency Alhaji Farouk Aliu Mahama which was signed on his behalf, Mr Jofa Abdul Fatawu Alhassan parliamentary candidates for National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr. Husseini Abdul Karim an Independent parliamentary candidate for the Yendi constituency.
He urged the politicians to take all necessary steps to prevent any form of divisions.
Most Rev. Yitiereh said it was part of the innovative strategies taken by the National Peace Council to be resilient for peaceful elections throughout the country.
He said the agreement signed remained a commitment to peaceful elections at the constituency level and urged the parliamentary candidates and their supporters to be committed to the agreement.
Mrs. Janet Somey-Kuma Director Capacity Development and Outreach of National Peace Council urged them to take the elections seriously and have peaceful in both presidential and parliamentary elections.
She advised them to campaign peacefully before, during and after the elections.
All the political parties which signed the peace pact said they were committed to peaceful elections and the Members of the Electoral Commission said they were prepared for the elections in the constituency with all the necessary materials ready.
Electoral commission officers, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) women groups, chiefs, People With Disability (PWD), Security Agencies, Political Parties among others participated in the workshop.
GNA