Politics is about decision-making - NCCE

Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - Mrs Doris Archampong, Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has called on Ghanaians not to see politics as a war but the prudent process of decision-making to better the lives of the citizenry. She said: "Politics is not about life and death; politics is about social harmony and progress."

Mrs Archampong, who was speaking at a rally for all political parties representatives at Teshie on the theme: "Political Tolerance During the Forthcoming General Election", said the aim of all political parties was to develop the society and that no party existed for conflict thus the need for all to see this year's election as a competition and not a war.

The programme, which was organised by the NCCE, was to enhance peaceful co-existence among all the political parties in the Teshie - Ledzokuku Constituency before, during and after Election 2004.

All the political parties in the Constituency embarked on a peaceful march together through the principal street of Teshie before assembling at the rally ground where parliamentary aspirants of all the parties took turns to address the crowd.

They included Nii Nortey Duah of National Democratic Congress; Mr Emmanuel Nii Ashie, an Independent Candidate and Dr Mrs Gladys Norley Ashitey.

Mrs Archampong urged all aspirants and party activists to conduct their campaigns based on issues rather than personalities, saying: "Your language should be decent in content and tell the electorates what your party can do for us when given the mantle and not how ugly someone is."

She said in as much as everyone had a constitutional right to free expression, there was the need for all to resolve to maintain the peace and social harmony by making a commitment to respect and tolerate each other.

Mr Eric Bortey, Metro Director, NCCE, congratulated the participants and said the success of the programme was an encouragement and that similar programmes would be organised nationwide before Election 2004.