Let’s eschew violence to promote good governance – African countries urged

The President of the African Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council, Rev. Prof. S.K. Adjepong has urged African countries to eschew violence in politics in order to promote good governance and development of the continent.

Speaking at validation workshop on draft Gomoa West District APRM Governance report at Apam, the APRM Governing Council President, commended the Gomoa West District Oversight Committee for playing a leading role in the activities of the APRM.

He said the work of the APRM had been non-partisan and called on participants at the workshop to feel free to speak their minds, adding that “democracy is about feeling free to speak one’s mind”.

Rev. Prof. Adjepong accused some media houses for not promoting development. “Instead of discussing issues which can enhance the country’s development, they dwell on discussing personalities”, he stressed.

He urged the government to resource the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) adequately to enable them to discharge their mandated responsibility of educating the public on the 1992 constitution effectively.

Rev. Prof. Adjepong said if Ghanaians took the work of the APRM serious, a lot of social evils such as corruption, nepotism and tribalism could be minimized in the country.

Mr Francis Yawson, the Administrator of the Apam St. Luke Catholic Hospital bemoaned the bad behaviour of some health workers towards their clients.

He reminded the people of the law that enjoins a client to take legal action against a health worker who shows disrespect to the right of a patient and said management of health facilities would not go to the aid of any staff confronted with such a situation.

Mr. Yawson expressed concern about the activities of quack medical officers and spiritualists, who operate in the rural communities and prevent patients from seeking early treatment at medical facilities.

Mr. Alex Sackey, Central Regional Director of the NCCE, expressed concern about too much apathy in the Ghanaian society, which was making it difficult for the citizens to know things concerning their country and even their own welfare.

“People want the country to develop but do not want to pay tax or levies.

Deputy Superintendent of Police L.K. Lumor, Apam District Police Commander, urged Ghanaians to have confidence in the Police.

Mr. Charles Wiafe, Apam District Magistrate, also urged Ghanaians to make the law courts a place for exercising reformation more than making it punitive.

Dr. Mark Nii Lamptey, Chairman of the District Oversight Committee of the APRM, appealed to Ghanaians to help make the December 7th general election violent-free.

Nana Edu Effrim X, Chief of Apam, called for conscription of school leavers into the military to turn the tide of indiscipline in the country.