As part of efforts to foster peace in the Ashanti Region ahead of the Election 2024, the Regional Peace Council, has held a consultative dialogue for key stakeholders at Ejura in the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality.
The dialogue was a proactive measure which provided a common platform for stakeholders to discuss issues that could threaten peace in the constituency before, during, and after the elections.
It was attended by representatives from the Municipal Police Command, political parties, Electoral Commission (EC), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Local Council of Churches, Muslim community and youth groups.
The dialogue which focused on issues bothering on political tolerance, security, transparency and governance, was funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Bishop Dr Victor Osei, a Member of the Regional Peace Council, said it was important to engage stakeholders through coordinated discussions in the run-up to the election and the post-election period to forestall pockets of violence that have characterised elections over the years.
He said parliamentary candidates, political parties, EC, NCCE, security agencies, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, women and youth groups as well as the media, were being targeted by the Council in its quest for a peaceful election.
He said the spread of misinformation, disinformation, campaign assaults, and mistrust of election outcomes, were some of the reasons tensions rise before and during elections.
He told the participants that the dialogue formed part of activities being executed by the Council to create an atmosphere that enhanced collective efforts aimed at addressing grievances, minimise tension and prevent any catastrophe associated with violent elections.
“Our ethnic, religious and political diversity is a great asset to the development and advancement of our country.
Unfortunately, a small number of individuals in our society have misused these lovely truths from God out of avarice, disdain, selfishness, and pride which has impacted our political path recently,” Bishop Osei remarked.
He said any kind of diversity should be used to foster togetherness, understanding, and compassion in order to foster socio-political progress in its fundamental form.
He entreated the participants to tolerate each other’s views, unite as one people, and embrace diversity of ideas which is the key to national development.
GNA
