Civil society intensifies campaign for peaceful election

Accra, October 17, GNA – The Ark Foundation, Ghana, on Tuesday launched a documentary dubbed: “Grandmothers Speak for Peace,” as part of its efforts to ensure peace before, during and after elections 2012.   The 15 minutes documentary features 20 grandmothers with ages ranging from 59-89 years, sharing their views on the importance and benefits of peace.   This is to sensitize the general public on the dangers of conflicts, particularly to women and children.   The documentary also seeks to bring to the fore creative ways in which women could work to prevent electoral violence and enhance peace in the society, and admonishes politicians and the youth not to engage in activities that would result to violence and confusion.   Ms Esinam Horsoo of the Ark Foundation, said the documentary was to heighten the awareness on the high cost of civil strife and war which could result from election violence and encourage citizens to collectively work towards ensuring violence free elections.   “The Ark is optimistic that through policy advocacy, public education and engagement with active civil society groups and members of the general public, it would help members of the public to begin to understand the root causes of violence and the need to free society of attitudes, beliefs and practices that perpetuate abuse and violence of all forms against all persons, particularly women and children,” she said.   Madam Eugenia Ayabigah of Star Ghana, said it was important for Ghanaians to develop peace and goodwill within their homes, their communities, societies and then the general public.   She lauded the initiative of the Ark Foundation, saying it was very important for space to be allocated to the elderly in society to mentor and train the youth to gradually develop the habit of maintaining peace wherever they found themselves.   Madam Ayabigah urged the youth to develop the zeal for patriotism that could help them develop and eliminate all forms of difference that could cause confusion or violence.   Madam Caroline Akrong, representative of the grandmothers, said peace was something that could not be over emphasized and the backbone of every development and it was important for the public to endeavour to speak the language of peace in the forthcoming election.   She appealed to politicians and supporters to maintain the current peace in the country and urged the youth to desist from being used as tools for electoral violence.   The documentary is being funded by STAR-Ghana, a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism (by DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID), to increase the influence of civil society for a peaceful elections.   GNA... Read Full Story