Two organizations in Dormaa crave for peaceful elections

The Dormaa Municipal office of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in collaboration with Youth Counsellors of Ghana (YCG), a non-governmental organisation championing the crusade for peace and tranquility before, during and after the 2012 General Election.

The two bodies have engaged in series of activities to commemorate this year’s National Service Week, including a peace float that brought together Christians, Muslems, traditional authorities, identifiable groups, the youth and members of the various political parties.

They paraded through the principal streets of Dormaa-Ahenkro amid jubilation, holding placards, some of which read “We need peace”, “Talk and act peace”, “No peace, no development” and “Let the airwaves be peaceful for 2012”.

At a forum to climax the peace float at the Dormaa Presbyterian Park, speakers who were drawn from NSS, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), religious groups, traditional authorities, the National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party called for peace in Election 2012.

Mr. Ahmed Ali, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of the NSS, urged Ghanaians to maintain peace during electioneering “since the struggle for power is not a do or die affair”.

Speaking on the topic “Political violence and development”, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakariah, Dormaa Municipal Chief Imam, reminded Ghanaians of the negative impact of political violence in countries including Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya and Uganda, “where untold atrocities were visited on the people, rendering some of the people homeless”.

He urged the youth to guard against acts that could result in crisis and mar the country’s peace.

Mr. Kwaku Adinkrah Kosopre, Municipal NCCE Director asked voters to visit their polling stations when the voters’ register is exhibited to ascertain the right spelling of names and other details.

Okatakyie Baffuor Ansu Gyeabour, Adomankomahene of Dormaa Traditional Council, commended the two institutions for creating political awareness and said the forum was in line with the traditional council’s policy of promoting peace.**