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22.09.2012 Politics

CHRAJ calls on stakeholders to ensure peaceful elections

By GNA
CHRAJ calls on stakeholders to ensure peaceful elections
22.09.2012 LISTEN

Accra, Sept. 20, GNA – The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the NGOs Forum, on Thursday called on all stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission, political parties, the electorate, religious bodies, security agencies and the youth to ensure that the electoral process was peaceful, credible, free and fair.

A statement signed by Richard A. Quayson, Deputy Commissioner, CHRAJ, said September 21 marked the International Day of Peace, a day declared by the UN General Assembly to be devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people.

The Commission appealed to all Ghanaians to, as the world celebrates the international day of peace, re-dedicate themselves to give peace and tolerance a chance to secure a sustainable future for sustainable development.

It called on Ghanaians to re-commit themselves to the promotion of peace and tolerance by endeavouring to eschew all tendencies that were likely to disturb the peace of the nation.

The statement said the CHRAJ, in collaboration with the Human Rights NGOs Forum and other partners, shared the hopes and aspirations expressed by the global community regarding the International Day of Peace and dedicated this year's celebration to the youth of Ghana.

It said: "It behoves on all and sundry to strive to attain sustainable peace as there was no sustainable future without sustainable peace and there would be no sustainable development without sustainable peace”.

The statement urged the youth to 'think peace, act peace and indeed live in peace and to work hard to ensure a violence free election.

“As leaders in-waiting, the Ghanaian youth have a role to play in partnering their elders to pursue this year's theme: “Sustainable Peace for Sustainable Future,” in the 2012 presidential and parliamentary election, the statement said.

“Ordinarily elections should be times when citizens should rejoice, because it presents opportunities for stock taking and taking decisions that shape our collective future. Unfortunately for us in Ghana and Africa in general, elections have come to symbolise fear and panic and anxiety,” the statement said.

GNA

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