Oguaahene advises subjects not to let politics divide them

Cape Coast, May 10, GNA - Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Omanhene of the Oguaa traditional area, on Sunday called on the people of Cape Coast and its surrounding communities to co-exist peacefully, and not to allow their political affiliations to create disunity among them.

Osabarima Atta observed that before the advent of party politics, the people of Oguaa regarded themselves as one people, adding that, there was no justification that "we should today, consider our political opponents as our enemies".

The Omanhene expressed these sentiments at Cape Coast, when he took the kick-off, at a fun football matches played by representatives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People's Party (CPP), and the People's National Convention (PNC).

The matches were organised by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), as part of activities to climax the celebration of the fourth Constitution Week in the Central region.

It was aimed at creating the necessary environment for peaceful co-existence and tolerance among all stakeholders in the political game, before and after the December 2004 elections.

Touching on the forthcoming elections, Osabarima Atta pointed out that only one party would emerge victorious, and it was therefore the responsibility of all to accept the verdict of the electorate, and never attempt to do anything that would disturb the peace prevailing in the country.

A combined men's team of representatives of the NPP and NDC beat a select side of CPP and PNC by two goals to nil goals, while the women's match of similar party combinations ended in a goalless draw. A tug of war between high sea and dragnet fishermen also ended in a draw.

Certificates of participation were awarded to the teams, and security services in the region, which recently participated in a Constitution Week games contest, were also presented with certificates.

Later in an interview, Mr Frank Adoba, Regional Director of the NCCE, described the cordiality among the players as a sign of victory for Ghana's young democracy and victory over violence and intolerance during and after the elections.

He said the spirit of friendship exhibited during the games amply demonstrated that the region, was not only a hub of tourism but also of peace, tolerance and excellence.

Mr Adoba pointed out that, elections can never be won through violence and called on all supporters of political parties to exercise maximum restraints in the coming elections to achieve peace and tolerance for national integration and development.