Falsehood, mistrust too pervasive in the society - Rev. Opuni-Frimpong

Reverend Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, Secretary General of Christian Council of Ghana, has said there is too much falsehood and mistrust among many in the society today.

He said falsehood and mistrust is so pervasive in Ghana’s political front and this is causing tension and confusion among the people and it is likely to endanger the peace of Ghana.

Reverend Dr Opuni-Frimpong said religious leaders must come together to address it before it led to complete damage to the unity and oneness needed to ensure peace in the country.

“These challenges must be addressed now rather wait for the harm to happen before they try to resolve them.

“Religious leaders must be bold to tell politicians who are members of their churches and mosques to demonstrate the principles and beliefs of Jesus Christ and Holy Prophet Mohammed”

Reverend Dr Opuni-Frimpong was addressing Muslims and Christian youth, personnel of the security agencies, youth activists of the various political parties and members of civil society organisations at a Christian-Muslim Dialogue forum in Wa.

The Christian Council of Ghana and the Office of the National Chief Imam organised the interfaith youth dialogue forum on peace towards election 2016.

Reverend Dr Opuni-Frimpong said politicians must be told that they are there to render quality serve to Ghana and not to create tension and confusion among the people.

He said there is the need to build a strong network between Christians and Islamic leaders and their followers to ensure peaceful elections on December 7.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sayibo Gariba urged people in the region to make concerted efforts to ensure that the peace of the area is sustained.

He commended the unity and co-operation between Christians and Muslims in the country.

ACP Gariba, who also the Deputy Upper West Regional Commander, said policing is service to the people and there is no political relationship between the police and the government in power.

“Ours is to provide an enabling environment for Ghanaians to go out and vote to elect their leaders and the police will do everything possible to ensure neutrality for all Ghanaians”.

Talking about the preparedness and security arrangements in the region towards the forthcoming elections, he said, besides deployment of police and other security personnel to man the polling stations, police patrol teams would also be positioned in Tumu, Lawra and Wa to enable the police to respond quickly to any violent situation.

ACP Gariba said the Regional Police Command would soon rollout a programme with all stakeholders including traditional rulers, political parties, religious leaders and the youth, on ways to ensure peace in the coming.

Mr Osman Ali, Deputy Upper West Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, said peaceful election for Ghana is a shared responsibility and we all have a role to play.

He said the Electoral Commission is only to facilitate the electoral processes but the electorate, the security agencies, political parties and the media have a bigger role to play in the education of the electorate to ensure a violence free elections.

Mr Ali said about 80 per cent of logistics for the elections have arrived in the region and some have been sent to the districts.

Members of the political parties who attended the forum gave the assurance that they would help educate their supporters to maintain law and order to promote violent free elections on December 7.