Statement : Ghana Deserves Continuous Peace - SONETCO Institute

SONETCO Institute has observed with admiration the dynamic strategies been adopted by the various political parties in the spirit of advocacy for citizenry participation in the limited voters registration exercise for those who have turned age eighteen after the last national registration exercise, in complementing the efforts of the Electoral Commission and the National Commission for Civic Education.

The exercise has taken off smoothly though turn-out has been relatively low as characteristic of these forms of exercise. Notwithstanding, we have taken cognizance of the fact that publicity efforts by EC and NCCE could have been better.

The most worrying phenomenon of a “beast raising its ugly head” however is the pocket of incidents of acts of intimidation, threats of harm and violent confrontations as have been recorded at polling stations in Weija (Accra) and Manhyia (Kumasi) specifically are most regrettable, backward and anti-development, which must be condemned by all meaning Ghanaians in no uncertain terms. The security agencies, especially the police, must ensure perpetrators of these lawless acts are brought to book.

SI, as a Socialist Ideological Institute, believes that holistic development, which is the focused-destination for all these electoral efforts, can only be attained in a peaceful, safe and congenial environment. We therefore call on all stakeholders ie. EC, NCCE, political parties, religious bodies, civil society organizations and the media to intensify their advocacy and watchdog roles and the police service in particular to strengthen and maintain a high level of vigilance and professionalism in their duties towards a peaceful free and fair election 2016. Political parties must lead the way by distancing themselves from any act that our laws frowns on perpetuated by their members or leaders. If there is an out break of war, which people will these political leaders govern, we have close by examples i.e Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali etc. Ghana is Africa's beacon of hope in the continental democratic processes.

SI stands for the ordinary people and we are calling on all ordinary Ghanaians never to allow themselves to be used by politicians, if it is a good thing politicians must first incite their children and immediate families else they should leave our ordinary citizens alone. Most of them from the political divide are on diplomatic passports, if the worse happens they and their children will run to safety what about the ordinary Ghanaians, the kayaye, farmer, labourer, mechanic, cleaner, market women, children etc.

Ghana has come a very long way since 1992 in entrenching its exemplary democratic credentials in the community of nations, and therefore cannot afford to renege on its leadership role on the continent of Africa at this crucial time.

God Bless SONETCO Institute!
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana!