Gov’t assures UN of peaceful elections

Mr Prosper Bani, Minister of the Interior has assured United Nations (UN) representatives in Ghana and all Ghanaians of peaceful elections come November 7, 2016.

He said the security agencies in the country have been equipped with personnel and logistics among others to ensure that the upcoming elections remain as peaceful as ever.

Mr Bani was delivering the situational report of the country’s security state particularly in relations to the November elections in Accra.

He said the security situation is relatively calm and recent developments are

under control due to effective communication and operations of the security agencies.

The Interior Minister said the police and other key security apparatus are positioned better than before, and people could have access to them now.

Mr Bani noted that in relation to the proliferation of small arms, efforts are underway to scale up the collaboration between the police and the Small Arms Commission to reduce the spread of weapons and proliferation.

He said Ghana has taken precautions from the recent terrorist activities in the region, and is beefing up security activities.

“We are beefing up visible security in our malls, churches, hotels, mosques, and social places across the country, and increasing sensitisation in the communities".

He noted that government is also in the process of engaging in specialised training for the forces to be able to react immediately when there is any unfortunate event of terrorism.

The minister said government would continue to provide the environment for democratic debate but gave the assurance that such activities would proceed without any form of violence.

He said the National Election Security Task Force has been put in place to monitor and coordinate all activities leading to the November elections with logistics built up as well as personnel and finance to guarantee free elections.

He said government is also in the process of reconstituting the peace council, which would have the power to engage directly with conflicts and disagreements that may lead to violence.

Mr Bani said the state would provide security for all political parties, and encourage them to desist from organising illegal youth groups to serve as alternative security arrangements for them.

He urged all citizens and expatriates in the country to be ready to share any information on security especially at these times so that everyone in the country would be secured.

Madam Christine Evans-Kloch, UN Resident Coordinator, expressed appreciation for the clear and confident comments from government about supporting peaceful elections, reinforcing responses to emergencies and partnership in long term visions.

She gave the assurance that they would continue to maintain the collaboration and partnership from now and provide every necessary information about security when the need arose.