Chief Imam advises youth not to be manipulated

Sheikh Nuhu Shaibu Sharabutu, National Chief Imam has advised Muslim youth to be firm and refused being used by politicians as tools for electoral violence before, during and after the November polls.

He said it is only in the context of peace that development thrives, adding that it is incumbent on the youth to be discerning and not allow any group to use them as a tool to cause instability in the country.

The National Chief Imam gave the advice in Accra at the launch of Muslim and Zongo Communities Unite for Peaceful Elections on the theme: “Let’s live together, let’s live peacefully,” organised by the Light Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

He said the country is a beacon of peace in the West African Sub-region, hence the need to maintain and sustain it.

He said conflicts in neighbouring countries should serve as a warning signal to all Ghanaians especially the Muslim youth.

Sheikh Sharabutu said Muslims and Christians should be united in spite of their religious differences and be tolerant by respecting the views of others and always use dialogue to resolve differences instead of violence.

Professor Emmanuel Asante, Chairman of the National Peace Council, noted that the peace of the country is critical to national development.

He said justice and peace must be the hallmark of all political party activities.

He said the electioneering should be characterised with civility, issue-based discussions, transparency and exercise high sense of tolerant prior to the Election Day.

Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, a Senior Research Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy said any activity that would endanger the stability of the country should be discouraged.

He said the experiences of other war zone countries should be a lesson to guide Ghanaians.

He urged the public to allow state institutions to work, expressing worry about the way political parties are commenting on the Supreme Court’s ruling on Electoral Commission.

Mr Mohammed Mutawakil Napari, Vice President of the Foundation said the event is to ensure violence-free campaign ahead of the elections as well as promote cohesion among supporters of all political parties.

He said the gesture was also to use peer education as an effective tool for the prevention of the exploitation of Muslim youth to perpetuate electoral violence and build the capacity of Muslim groups within the communities.