This year's elections will be peaceful - Akumanyi

Kwamang (Ash), Sept. 24, GNA - Mrs Augustina Akosua Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed optimism that Ghana would have a peaceful and successful election this year.

She explained that the nation had conducted many successful elections since independence and had come out successfully. She expressed the hope that similar incident-free elections would occur this year.

Mrs Akumanyin was speaking at a community durbar on "Peaceful Elections" at Kwamang in the Sekyere Central District of Ashanti on Tuesday.

The durbar was organized by the NCCE and was attended by representatives from government institutions, chiefs, parliamentary candidates, school children, and the clergy. Mrs Akumanyi called on parents to warn their children especially those below 18 years not to associate themselves with political campaigns because they had no part to play in the elections. She appealed to supporters of the various political parties to refrain from removing or defacing posters of their opponents stressing that, apart from such actions being illegal, money was used to print them.

The Deputy Commissioner expressed concern about the intra party conflict of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency and appealed to the three Paramount Chiefs in the area and the party hierarchy to resolve the issue to bring peace and harmony to the area. Mr Yaw Kusi Aborah, the Ashanti Regional Director of the NCCE stressed the need for people, especially political party supporters to be abreast with the contents of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. He said members and supporters of the various political parties should be bold to guide or advice their leaders when they went wrong to enhance peace and unity as the nation prepared for the elections. Mr Aborah said the Electoral Commission should do everything possible for every eligible voter to exercise their franchise on the Election Day.

Nana Kodua Basoa, Akyeamehene and Ejura Sekyedumase District Director of Education, who represented Barima Ntori Nimpah, Paramount Chief of Kwamang called on the youth to take the advice given them seriously to ensure their freedom. He appealed to supporters of the various political parties to refrain from insults in all provocations, fighting, and removal of posters of their opponents to ensure peace in the area. Mr Ali Osman, the District Electoral Officer said the EC was doing everything possible to ensure free, fair and credible elections this year and called on the people to have confidence in the EC. Inspector Anthony Cabot Boham, Police Officer of the Kwamang Police Station appealed to the people to be law abiding and have respect for leaders of the country. 24 Sept. 08