Mills pleads for violent-free elections
President J. E.A Mills has urged Ghanaians, especially, the youth, to eschew any practice that would disturb the peace and tranquility of the country, especially, during the 2012 elections.
According to the President, although every individual Ghanaian has their political affiliation, they must try to exhibit some levels of tolerance during the election year, to safeguard the peace in the country.
He added that measures had been instituted to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in the coming year. 'I want each one of us to refrain from any act which would disturb the peace during the elections.'
The President was speaking at Eid ul Fitri celebration, which was under the theme, 'Unity and Brotherhood: Let there be peace,' in Accra yesterday.
He said his government would do all it could to preserve the peace and tranquility that has been enjoyed over the years.
He, therefore, appealed to the Hajj Committee to start early arrangements, in order to avoid the problems that occurred last year, and pledged that his government would do all it could to support the committee and the pilgrims.
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, also urged the youth, especially, Muslims, to be positive thinkers, and desist from any act that would defame the religion of Islam and the peace of the country.
According to the National Chief Imam, the values of selflessness, devotion, unity, amicability and tolerance practised during the Ramadan, should be adhered to, as a collective guiding principle into the 2012 election year.
He stated that as a nation, one attribute that can emulate from the holy Prophet Muhammad, was striving to live in peace with one another. 'Even though we belong to different political parties, religious groups, at the end of the day, we are one people, and one Ghanaian.'
'I wish to appeal to all Ghanaians, especially, the Muslim youth, that come 2012 is another election year. Every Muslim may have his or her own choice, but should not allow any politician to misuse them.'
He urged families to continue sending their children to school, in order to improve upon the human resource development of the country, adding, 'The 21st Century, we all know, promises to be one where knowledge replaces capital as a major factor of production. We can only compete favourable in the competition of the 21st Century by investing in our children.'
Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu noted with regret the rampant cases of brutalities and divorce among married families.
Thus, he appealed to individuals to respect family values by learning to be tolerant of one another. 'We can only be responsible, if we begin the process of peaceful co-existence in our various families, communities, regions, and nation.'