The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Professor Emmanuel Asante has reminded stakeholders particularly, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to keep to the roadmap and code of conduct against political vigilantism.
He said adherence to the roadmap and code of ethics as agreed upon, would deepen the nation’s democracy and preserve the peace of the country before and after the general elections.
“The two parties, the NDC and NPP have declared publicly that vigilantism is inimical in Ghana’s democratic system and must be eradicated”.
He said this at the launch of the 4th edition of the nationwide peace campaign under the theme:” Promoting National Peaceful Coexistence: The Role of the Youth” in Accra.
He said any person who took part in any vigilante activity, act as a member or subscribed to its membership had committed a crime according to the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019, (Act 999) and liable to a term of imprisonment not less than ten years and not more than fifteen years.
He said the culture of raining insults, hate speech on political figures and those who genuinely expressed their views concerning political issues should be discouraged to maintain the peace.
“All those fighting for peace should be encouraged and their labour should not be in vain,” he said.
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, Spokesperson at the Office of the National Chief Imam, said the youth should resist attempts by political parties to use them as tools of violence.
He said political competition should not be reduced to violence, hostility and insults to intimidate but rather policy guided dialogues.
According to him, the youth should value their lives and know that no politician would put his or her child or relative in the frontline during a conflict or war.
On his part, the President of the Ghana Journalist Association Mr. Affail Monney called on journalists to put the peace of the nation first in their reportage and should never be selective.
He said the Media should apply all ethical conduct relating to elections to manage the temperatures of the times to ensure a peaceful election come December.
“Our concern is not who wins but the peace of the nation and at the end of the elections we should find a peaceful nation,” he said.
Mr Abukari Inbrana Awudu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Peace Ambassadors, said the campaign was to empower women to sensitise and educate their communities and the nation to value the peace enjoyed and not trade it for violence.
Adding that the Ambassadors would educate the youth through campus campaigns and the public through all the 16 regions.
He said Peace Ambassadors Ghana, would also hold an Awards ceremony to honour persons who had contributed to preserving the peace in the country and the global community.
