Eschew all forms of violence-igniting activities—Police Commander

Superintendent Francis Mensah, District Police Commander of the Upper Manya Krobo District, has urged voters and political activists to avoid actions that could incite violence, such as teasing and name-calling, in the lead-up to the December elections.

He emphasized that election outcomes reflect the will of the people, and any loss should be accepted respectfully.

"Winning parties should celebrate with grace, and losing parties should accept defeat respectfully," Supt. Mensah stated at a forum organized by the Asesewa District office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC).

The NCCE has launched a nationwide campaign to promote peaceful coexistence and national cohesion during the election season. Themed “Together, We Can Build Ghana: So, Get Involved,” the campaign seeks to encourage Ghanaians to work together regardless of political, religious, or ethnic differences.

At the Asesewa forum, Supt. Mensah reminded attendees of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill, 2019, which mandates severe penalties for electoral violence and vigilantism. He cautioned against carrying weapons to polling centers, tampering with ballot boxes, or attacking Electoral Commission staff. “The police are well-prepared to protect all citizens and the electoral process,” he assured.

Nene Olesu Tetteh, Sipim of Asesewa, also spoke at the forum, calling on faith-based organizations to promote tolerance and educate their members on the dangers of electoral violence. “Religious tolerance is about appreciating values and beliefs different from one’s own,” Nene Tetteh said, urging community members to embrace peaceful conduct as a shared mandate across faiths.

Mr. Eric K. Yanney, NCCE District Director and IPDC Secretary, highlighted the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence, warning that “disintegration would set the nation backward.” He called for collective action against violence, emphasizing that democracy is a shared responsibility involving government institutions, civil society, media, and the public.

IPDC Chairman Mr. Isaac Ofei Baah echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for peaceful coexistence across political, ethnic, and religious lines, as outlined in Article 41(a) of the 1992 Constitution. “Respecting others' opinions is essential for community harmony,” he said, adding that spreading false news undermines trust in democratic processes and jeopardizes national stability.

Mr. Haludu Mohamed of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) advised young people to choose dialogue over violence to resolve conflicts, noting that violence harms society and the nation. He cautioned that freedom of speech does not excuse spreading false information, which is legally punishable.

To promote peace and tolerance, the IPDC and NCCE have engaged with 13 faith-based organizations in the district, including churches and the Asesewa Central Mosque. The outreach has served as a platform to educate the public on the importance of tolerance, truthfulness, and the dangers of electoral violence, misinformation, and fake news.

With these efforts, the NCCE and IPDC aim to ensure a peaceful and inclusive election season in 2024.