‘Peace in the country depends on the citizenry’

The Eastern Regional Deputy Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Augustine Bosrotsi, has said peace in the country depended on the collective responsibility of every citizen.

Mr. Bosrotsi appealed to all citizens to play their part well to ensure that the peace prevailing in the country was not disturbed as the nation gradually journeys towards the December 7 election.

He said this at Akyem Ayirebi at a public forum for five parliamentary candidates contesting for the Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency parliamentary seat.

The candidates are Mr. Tom Kenneth Budu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. David Oppong-Kusi, New Patriotic Party ( NPP ), Mr. Reynolds Amoako, Convention Peoples Party (C PP), Mr. DennisTerchi-Duku of the Progressive Peoples Party ( PPP) and Rev. Jeremy Asiedu-Appiah, independent candidate.

Also present were Mr. Kofi Annan of the Electoral Commission (E.C), Ofoase District Commander of Police, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ofosu Anim, religious leaders, traditional leaders and supporters of political parties.

Mr. Bosrotsi said all political parties had a duty to impress upon their supporters to conduct themselves well to ensure that nothing is done to create chaos.

The District Director of NCC E, Mr. Daniel Chartey, said Ghana had conducted five elections and had given the country high credibility and rating in Africa in good governance and democracy.

He said the NCCE was among institutions that had played vital roles in terms of public education for this enviable record but expressed that the District Directorate of the Commission was unfortunately under-resourced especially in terms of transportation and office accommodation to carry out its core functions.

However, he said, the Commission would not relent on its efforts in educating the public on the need for peace, unity, love and tolerance.

Mr. Annan said as Ghana had chosen the path of democracy, there was the need for all political parties and their supporters to follow the rules and regulations set out by the Electoral Commission to make this year’s election successful.