Politicians resolve to promote tolerance

Accra, May 4, GNA - Media practitioners have been advised to be very circumspect in their reportage in order to maintain the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the country.

This would create a serene condition for the December elections and also enhance the growth of democracy.

Dr Baffour Agyeman-Duah, the Director of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), who gave the advice stated that, if the once peaceful countries like Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire are now in flames as a result of political intolerance, Ghana should not to be under the illusion that it was above troubles, if intolerance is allowed to thrive. Dr Agyeman-Duah was speaking at a forum organised by the Legon Hall of the University of Ghana to discuss ways to promote decency in language and tolerance towards the forthcoming general elections.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Gomoa-West constituency, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, who represented the National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed regret that the history of Ghana, since the first republic had been replete with political intolerance.

She also cited the crisis in Cote d' Ivoire and Liberia as the product of intolerance, inequitable distribution of national resources and injustice. She therefore tasked the government to create a level playing field to all political parties in the contest for political power.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) was also represented by the MP for Assin-North, Mr. Ken Agyapong.

He assured the gathering that, the NPP government was imbued with unflinching commitment to sustain the current peace in the country. He also entreated politicians to avoid lies and inflammatory statements since they command large followers who trust their statements.

On his part, the leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Mr Dan Lartey admonished all politicians to be careful about their use of language and utterances so as not to incite the public unnecessarily.

He explained that language carries information that shows the practical demonstration of peoples' thoughts. The moderator of the function, Mr Kwame Sefa-Kayi of Peace FM, an Accra based radio station reminded Ghanaians that, expression of disagreement must not prevent people from acknowledging the right of others to their opinions.