National Peace Council holds consultative dialogue In Atebubu

The Bono East Regional Peace Council, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the British High Commission’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, organized a one-day consultative dialogue in Atebubu.

The event brought together stakeholders, culminating in the signing of a peace pact by parliamentary candidates to guide their conduct before, during, and after the December general elections.

Purpose of the Dialogue

The Bono East Regional Executive Secretary of the Peace Council explained that the event aimed to foster political tolerance, encourage consensus-building among political parties, and promote decency in media discourse.

Welcoming participants, the Chairman of the Bono East Regional Peace Council, Rev. Prince Owusu Aseku, underscored the importance of acknowledging past grievances while focusing on shared aspirations.

“In pursuit of peace, it is essential to acknowledge past grievances while also celebrating our shared aspirations. Together, we can weave a narrative of hope, solidarity, and cooperation that serves as a guiding light for all of us,” he stated, calling for constructive discourse grounded in mutual respect and collaboration.

Key Addresses

Dr. King David Amoah, a member of the Bono East Regional Peace Council, delivered a message on behalf of the Chairman of the National Peace Council. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections as an opportunity for Ghanaians to uphold peace, unity, and good governance.

“The dialogue we are engaging in today is focused on understanding the intricacies of the various issues that exist at the constituency level regarding the peace pact signed previously. It is essential to evaluate our progress, identify challenges, and draw lessons from past experiences to inform our actions going forward,” Dr. Amoah noted.

Father James Annor Ohene, a lawyer and administrator of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Techiman, highlighted the adverse effects of hate speech, indecent expressions, and vigilantism. He warned against stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, and other actions that dehumanize individuals, noting that such behaviors undermine peaceful coexistence.

On vigilantism, Father Ohene cautioned that individuals involved could evolve into extremists, destabilizing communities. He reminded attendees that vigilantism is illegal in Ghana, with offenders and those promoting it facing sanctions, including prison terms ranging from 5 to 25 years.

Electoral and Security Updates

The Atebubu-Amantin Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, Mr. Patrick Tampugre, outlined election day dos and don’ts. Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Mr. Kennedy Opoku, elaborated on the roles and responsibilities of election officials, while Assistant Superintendent of Police Julius Akpelime provided insights into the police’s preparedness for the elections.

Peace Pact Signing

Hon. Sanja Nanja, Member of Parliament for Atebubu-Amantin and Parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Mr. Abraham Kwaku Henaa, Parliamentary candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP); and Mr. Mohammed Sherif, Constituency Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), pledged to uphold peace. They formalized their commitment by signing the peace pact.

Attendees

The event was attended by members of the clergy, security personnel, traditional authorities, and executives from various political parties. It was a collective effort to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process in the Bono East region.