Embrace peace -IPS Peace Coalition

The spokeperson for the Peace Coalition of the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) Students, Mr. Michael Adu-Poku, says Ghanaians must go all-out for peace and refuse vehemently, tendencies that could plunge the nation into turmoil.

“Peace like success cannot be wished, every drop of it must be earned deliberately,” he said.

Mr. Adu-Poku said this at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, to remind Ghanaians to conduct themselves peacefully during the December 7, elections and beyond.

He said some Ghanaians were becoming very worried over the complacency, which stemmed from the idea that Ghana was known to be a peace beacon in the turbulent coast of West Africa.

“It will take even untrained eye to behold that all the factors that lure nations into chaos are showing red,” he said.

He said the utterances of government officials were divisive.

“They are very guilty as they have set no good examples by way of their actions and utterances,” he said. He said Ghana was polarised, not only along political lines, but along religious, class, and ethnic lines.

Mr. Adu Poku said, “Ghanaian are already in pain in getting their three square meals, health care, accommodation, employment, education and dignified life,” adding that the burden of war or instability of any degree could make suicide a preferred option.

He said the industrialisation Ghanaian politicians had promised, and the employment avenues they wanted to open for expectant Ghanaians, could only take place in a peaceful environment.

Mr. Adu Poku said they would visit the schools, market places, and identifiable groups, to preach the peace ahead of the elections.

According to Mr. Adu-Poku this resolve by the IPS students, was the result of the economic difficulties the average Ghanaian faced, most of who are struggling against poverty, pushing some of them into crimes such armed robbery, prostitution, corruption and many more.

He said all these were recipe for violence and war.

He called on the executive, parliamentarians, judiciary and the security forces to adopt best practices by being neutral in their dealings, in order to win the confidence of the people.

“This election is a challenge of defending our integrity as a peaceful nation, and to justify our internationally acclaimed role as not only peaceful people, but peace brokers in the sub-region.”

He called on the media the EC and the political parties to do their best to win the hearts and trust of the people.

“Ghana may be a peaceful country, but failure to learn from the mistakes of others, particularly Kenya, who until the 2008 elections were relatively peaceful, is to engage in self-delusion,” he concluded.