CDD Organises Peace Talks On Election In Upper East

Speakers at a public forum organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) at Bongo in the Upper East Region have urged the electorate not to engage in any act that would undermine the country's democracy.

The Speakers who were members of the District Peace Council stressed that peace was very paramount in every endeavour and the country could not afford to lose it especially when she had gained admiration at the international level.
     
The forum was aimed at ensuring peace before, during and after the upcoming election. It has the theme; 'Towards Peaceful Election in 2008: Preventing Pre-Election Violence.' Participants were taken through topics including Security, Civic Rights and Responsibility, and Election Laws.
     
Mr Anthony Atia, District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) said it was the responsibility of the major stakeholders and the electorate to ensure that they abided by the electoral laws to ensure peace. He urged political actors to nurture political tolerance, explaining that tolerance was one of the major elements of democracy and appealed to all to help defend the good name of Ghana.

Mr John Seidu, Bongo District Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) said all was set for the election in Bongo because the materials and other logistics for voting were ready.  Taking the participants through the electoral process he said; 'Anybody caught in any electoral fraud would be arrested and sanctioned according to the law'.
    
Mr George Tetteh Zula, District Police Commander said the police had prepared adequately for the exercise and warned that nobody would be allowed to sell drinks beyond 500 metres from the polling station.
    
Reverend Sylvanus Ayoubire and Mr Mohammed Asaa representing the Christian and Moslem communities respectively urged Ghanaians to cherish peace.In a speech read for him, the Programmes Officer of CDD, Mr. Abrompah Mensah explained that Ghana had remained politically stable since 1992 adding that there had been significant growth and development of the country's key democratic institutions.            
    
Naba Baba Salifu Alamyarom, Paramount Chief of Bongo Traditional Area, who chaired the function, reiterated the need for peace. Similar programmes are being held in Zabilla, Bawku and Binduri in the region.