Two non-governmental organisations based in Techiman Municipality have embarked on a project to assist other stakeholders to ensure violence-free general election in Techiman and Nkoranza Municipalities in December.
The project by Ahenbronoso Care Foundation and Civic Union, dubbed “Whipping up public interest and support to ensure peace before, during and after election 2012”, is funded by STAR – Ghana.
It aims at helping to strengthen transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the country.
Other major activities envisaged under the project include consultative meetings with district level stakeholders, round table discussions with political party leaders and the training of party foot soldiers as well as organizing public debates for aspiring parliamentarians in the four constituencies of Nkoranza and Techiman.
There will also be debates on religion and violence from Islam and Christian perspectives, community film shows on the Rwandan conflict and the formation of media peace committees, all aimed at ensuring conflict resolution.
Mr. Davis Boamah Asumadu, the Deputy Executive Director of Ahenbronoso Care Foundation, announced these at the first stakeholders’ consultative meeting for 40 stakeholders from Nkoranza South Municipality at Nkoranza during the weekend.
He said it was the aim of the NGOs to create awareness about events that could emerge during the up-coming general election, adding, the programme of activities of the two NGOs would help guide the electorate against electoral offences.
He called on the leadership of political parties in Nkoranza and Techiman to educate supporters to be disciplined and to carry out their campaigns in decent and orderly manner without insulting opponents.
Mr. Tebra Ayibani Imoro, Techiman Municipal Information Officer, called on assembly members, traditional authorities, religious leaders and civil society organisations to join the educational programme to ensure peaceful elections.
He commended the two NGOs for their concern and advised the media in the two municipalities to be accurate and circumspect in their reportage of political issues to avoid sparking violence.
Mr. Dickson Fosu, Chairman of Civic Union, urged the security agencies to show neutrality before and after the elections.**
