National integration is urgent now-Boafo

Fomena (Ash), April 30, GNA - Mr S.K. Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister has stated that the need for national integration was more urgent now, since the country had entered an election year.

"As the 2004 December elections draws nearer, it is important for all Ghanaians to remind ourselves of the need to promote unity, peace, order and stability so as to push the nation forward".

Mr Boafo who was speaking at the regional launching of the Fourth National Constitution Week at Fomena in the Adansi West district on Thursday, urged supporters of all the political parties to learn to accommodate dissenting views to promote national integration. The celebration of the constitution week has as its theme "National Integration Through Tolerance".

The Regional Minister said the constitution talks about tolerance and urges the state to promote the culture of political tolerance among Ghanaians.

Mr Boafo therefore appealed to Ghanaians to collectively defend the 1992 constitution.

While commending the NCCE for instituting the constitution week, the Regional Minister asked Ghanaians to take that opportunity to extend their support and belief in constitutional governance and to deepen their resolve to defend the constitution.

Mr Kusi Aborah, the Ashanti Regional Director of the NCCE said, the institution of the week over the past three years had impacted positively on the civic consciousness of the people. He indicated that national integration was very important at this stage of the nation's democratic dispensation and the need to create awareness was imperative.

Mr Joseph Boampong, Adansi West District Chief Executive reminded the people that, a political opponent was not an enemy and that political pluralism was one way to satisfy a democratic requirement. Mr Boampong therefore urged opinion leaders, party executives, religious leaders and all people of good will to impact positively on their respective societies so that the next generation will be proud of the legacy left for them.

Nana Ofori Agyemang II, Adansihene who chaired the function stressed the need for all parties to co-exist in the interest of national integration.