Peace rally in Accra

A peace rally has been held in Accra to solicit for support of Ghanaians on the need to maintain peace in the run up to the December elections and beyond.

Organised by the Oparedawuro media consult, the rally brought together youth choirs of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church in the South Ghana Conference, to use song ministration to drum home the danger that any breech of the peace could cause the country’s development process.

Some of the pastors and youth who were at the event shed tears when the lyrics of the song and chorographic depicted scenes of violence resulting in death during campaigns, voting and declaration of electoral results in some countries in Africa.

The choristers reminded Ghanaians about the importance of peace for the provisions of basic amenities such as roads, jobs and incomes leading to improvements in the quality life of the people.

Speaking on the topic “The Responsibilities of the Police and the General Public” DSP Cephas Arthur, the acting Public Affairs Director of the Ghana Police Service, assured Ghanaians that the police and other security agencies were ready to provide security to ensure peace in the December elections.

In that regard, he disclosed that the service had put in place a comprehensive preparation regime since 2010 to provide a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the elections.

He said plans and policies had been put in place including a yet-to be- inaugurated National Election Security Taskforce and the training of some 16,000 personnel from all the security agencies to provide security during the elections.

“GPS has gained experience in the various elections, therefore, the police is in the position to do even better in the 2012 elections”, he opined.

Mr Arthur observed that peace at the election was a shared responsibility between the Police and the general public; therefore, the public owe it a duty to the state to conduct themselves in a responsible manner.

To that end, he encouraged Ghanaians to ensure peaceful political process; avoid comments, statements and insults that would incite others.

Again, he urged Ghanaians to be tolerant, even in the face of provocation and resort to the law when necessary and should not take the law into their hands.

On obeying the electoral laws, he advised prospective voter against giving their voter ID cards to others, destroying ballot papers or supplying ballot papers to any person without authorisation among other malpractices.

On his part, the Administration officer, Religious Affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Pastor Captain P. N. K. Doudo, noted that it was not enough for people to talk about peace, rather Ghanaians must believe in peace and act for peace, quoting Matthew 5: 9 which says “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God”.

Captain Doudo, observed that only disciplined people could be real peace makers and suggested that healthy interpersonal relationships could promote peace.

As part of the programme, some stakeholders in the electoral process were made to sign a’ Peace Makers Banner’ enjoining them to uphold peace at all times.

The President of the Ghana Journalist association (GJA), Mr Ransford Tetteh, for his part said the media would do its best to promote peace in its reportage by providing accurate information to the public in the coming elections.

Mr Tetteh observed that election was for people to elect their leaders but not to fight and cause violence which in turn would be detrimental to the development and growth of the country especially the youth and children.

“Should we continue to fight in order to elect people to lead us? I guess no”, he exclaimed.

In helping the media to ensure peace, he advised the public to abstain from using the media as a platform to insult and provoked to incite others to do same.