Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged Ghanaians to uphold the principles of peace, unity, and tolerance as the nation prepares for its upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections.
He underscored the importance of these values not just in the context of the electoral process but as the bedrock upon which a prosperous Ghana must be built.
“Today, I stand before you not just as the Speaker of this Parliament, but as a Ghanaian citizen, deeply devoted to the future of our nation,” He stated, underscoring the shared responsibility of all Ghanaians in nurturing these ideals.
In an impassioned address delivered on his behalf at the Ramadan Night of Power at Parliament on Tuesday, 2nd April 2024, the Speaker drew from the theme of this year’s event, ‘Peace, Unity and Tolerance: the Roadmap to Prosperous Ghana.
He deconstructed each element, starting with peace and quoted Albert Einstein, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding,” to reinforce the notion that peace is the precondition for progress and prosperity.
He celebrated Ghana’s diversity as a source of strength and unity, recalling Maya Angelou’s words: “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”
Mr. Bagbin advocated for a collective purpose and shared vision for a better Ghana, emphasizing that unity is not about uniformity but about cherishing differences while recognizing common goals.
On tolerance, the Speaker echoed the sentiment of American actress Helen Hayes, defining tolerance as the willingness to accept others’ faults as long as they accept ours.
He called tolerance a path to understanding and a bridge that connects peace and unity.
“Tolerance is our path to understanding. It is the bridge that connects divided shores, the hand extended in friendship despite differing views,” Mr. Bagbin remarked.
The Speaker’s address was not only a call to action but also a reminder of the values that have guided Ghana’s democratic journey thus far. As the nation looks forward to the elections, Bagbin’s message serves as a clarion call for Ghanaians to be ambassadors of peace, champions of unity, and exemplars of tolerance.
“Let us pledge to be ambassadors of peace, champions of unity, and exemplars of tolerance. Let us vote with our conscience and accept the outcome with grace,” he urged.
The Speaker envisioned a Ghana that is not only economically prosperous but also harmonious and resilient and stressed the collective effort required to build a nation that is a beacon of hope for all of Africa as the nation approaches another pivotal moment in its democratic journey.