CENCOSAD organises peace march

Accra, April 28, GNA - The Centre for Community Studies Action and Development (CENCOSAD), on Saturday organised a peace march in Accra to engage the youth positively to avoid violence and intolerance during the December General Election.

The walk organised by CENCOSAD in collaboration with Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights, both non-governmental organisations, was on the theme: “Promoting Health Rights and Accountability in a Peaceful and Fair 2012 Elections.”

The event involved 2,500 youth engaged to promote peaceful and transparent elections in areas like Ashiedu Kete Sub-metro, Juaboso, Agona East Districts and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipality.

The march formed part of a one-year project, being funded by DFID, DANIDA and European Union through Star-Ghana, a multi-donor organisation, to galvanise the citizenry to demand from political parties, political institutions and government, violence-free, transparent, fair and peaceful elections

Nii Ankonu Annorbah- Sarpei Acting Director CENCOSAD said the youth was chosen for the walk because they are vulnerable to political violence.

He noted that the exercise would pave way for the youth to get committed in ensuring peace which would facilitate the first step towards the country's political achievement.

Nii Annorbah –Sarpei urged the political parties not to incite the youth to make inflammatory statements that may stir up violence and report any party which tries to influence voters through cash or material inducement to the law enforcing agencies.

Mr Gabriel Ofori Bekoe Civic Education Officer of National Commission for Civic Education said there was the need to educate the youth on the 1992 Constitution, which would provide them with the necessary ingredients in the way of maintaining peace in the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Mr Seth Raymond Atoana Tettey, Assembly Member for Ngleshie James Town, observed that to ensure peace it was essential for Ghanaians not to allow political differences to divide them.

He urged the youth to obey the rules of the Electoral Commission during the election period to facilitate peace.

Some of the placards at the peace march read: “Insults don't win election,”, “Violence free election for better maternal and child health,” “say no to violence”, “my political right my health right,” and “ tolerate each other for we are one.”

The project aims at using citizens led approach for women, especially pregnant women, who would be oriented and mobilised to participate in street campaigns, to demand peaceful and fair elections and improved health service delivery.

GNA