Election violence still a threat to Ghana-Peace Council

Accra, Oct. 23, GNA -The Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Kweku Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council, says election related violence is still a threat to the country.   "As the day of election approaches, there seem to be some political stress, with all the insults and unpleasant exchanges that go on between politicians."   Rev. Kweku Asante said this on Tuesday, at a Colloquim on Ensuring Peaceful Elections in Ghana, which was organised by the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Centre (KAIPTC), held in Accra.   It was under the theme, "Preserving National Security in Elections 2012 and Beyond."   He said although the country had the status of being an icon of political stability on the continent, there were a number of factors that indicated early warning signs of potential electoral violence.   Rev. Asante said for any society to remain intact, people had to have confidence in the justice system and remain assured, that they did not have to take the law into their own hands. "    “Let us uphold justice, as we work towards peace and the rule of law. Let us ensure that during these elections, there are no malpractices such as the snatching of ballot boxes and other electoral mal-practices."   He said ensuring peace was not the duty of the security agencies alone, adding that, all well meaning Ghanaians should endeavor to play their role in ensuring that the country did not sink into electoral violence.   Lt. Col (Rtd). Gbevlo-Lartey, National Security Coordinator, said whilst Ghanaians were basically a "peace loving people", there was still the need to go the extra mile to ensure a peaceful election.   He said for the purpose of the election, the Electoral Commission was basically in charge of how the entire process was supposed to be conducted.   "We are suggesting to the EC that at the regional level for example, there should be a regional election security committee, headed by the senior most EC official, down to the district level."   Lt. Col (Rtd). Gbevlo Lartey said there was the need for a security arrangement that could clearly be followed, in order to make law enforcement much clearer.   He stressed that where the conduct of the elections was concerned, the EC was basically in charge, adding that, the National Security apparatus was well prepared to handle any unpleasant situation that might come up during the election.   Dr. Kwesi Aning, Director and Dean of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research at the KAIPTC, said considering the typical nature of happenings during election periods in the country, "we should not at all be complacent about the peace we are enjoying".   He said factors such as the hyping of political differences by the media, the tendency for politicians to use the youth to achieve their aims through engaging them in disruptive acts, and even suggestive language used by politicians that subtly urged violence among other factors, called for a concerted effort to ensure that there was peace.   The occasion was attended by representatives from the security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and students among several others.     GNA... Read Full Story