"We Will Give Away Members Who Foment Trouble"

Bawku (U/E) July 24, GNA - Representatives from the various political parties in the Bawku Municipality have resolved not to interfere in the duties of the security agencies if any of their members falls foul of the law.

They said it was about time to condemn certain bad actions of some of their members and to resist any attempts to intervene on their behalf to sustain a peaceful atmosphere in the area.

Party representatives noted that if members were treated as individuals who were responsible for their actions, they would conduct themselves in a responsible manner.

These resolutions were made at the maiden District Inter-Party-Dialogue Committee forum for political party representatives held at Bawku in the Upper East Region on Thursday.

The Committee, which is made up of representatives of New Patriotic party (NPP); National Democratic Congress (NDC); People's national Convention (PNC); Convention People's Party (CPP), National Reform Party (NRP) and Great Consolidated People's Party (GCPP) also included representatives from the security services, religious bodies and traditional rulers.

It is aimed among other things at creating a platform for dialogue, mediation, prevention and resolution of partisan political conflicts in order to promote a peaceful atmosphere, before, during and after Election 2004.

The party representatives also resolved to abide by the electoral laws and urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to educate the public on the relevant laws to forestall any violence.

Earlier in his welcoming address, the Municipal Director of the NCCE, Mr Roland Azumah reminded party officials of the need to demonstrate a high sense of maturity and commitment to ensure a successful electioneering year.

Mr Azumah urged political party executives to educate their supporters to desist from using abusive languages that would create confusion, which would only retard the progress so far attained. The Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr Sulemana Haruna, said civic and democratic values called for a concerted effort by all to enhance the stability of society.

He said the time had come for the Bawku area to prove to the world that it was capable of going through an electioneering period without any violence.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Abdul-Rahman Gumah said the area had learnt from its bitter past and had resolved to forge ahead to build a peaceful society for future generations.