We want peace - NPP Women Caucus

Accra, Feb. 22, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Women Caucus in Parliament on Wednesday urged Ghanaians to be bold and not to give in to threats and intimidations, which some people with ulterior motives were contriving.

They said Ghanaians did not want war, which had devastated other countries, traumatising women and children.

They gave this advice at a press conference organised by the group on the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill (ROPAB). "Ghanaians are peace loving people and our theme for this press conference is peace"; adding; "the spirit, soul and body of our people abhor threats and intimidation".

Mrs Grace Coleman, Chairperson of the Caucus, in her address said Ghanaians should rest assured that the bill would benefit Ghanaians and their children in the years to come and that it bore a message of hope and peace.

"So nobody should contrive conflict, chaos, confusion, mayhem or Armageddon."

She said PNDC Law 284 limits the registration of Ghanaians living abroad to only those who are employed in the service of the Republic, the United Nations or other international organisations and students on the scholarships.

"So for example if a student is not on government scholarship he has no right to vote." Mrs Coleman said the ROPAB is seeking to extend, "this right to all registered Ghanaians to vote and not to only the chosen few". "Our sister countries such as Mali, Senegal and Burkina Faso give this right to all their citizens. Why can't Ghana?"

She said the press conference was to allay the fears, which for whatever reason was being associated with the passage of ROPAB. "The disturbing reports in the airwaves from some members of the Minority relating to mayhem, conflict and chaos if the bill is passed have prompted us women in Parliament to issue this statement." She said Ghanaians are currently enjoying free education of their children, quality health and benefit of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Fund and affirmed their confidence in the Government's programmes to steer the country to a middle-income status by the year 2015.

They called upon the members of the Minority, who have walked out of Parliament, to come back to the House, "where Parliamentarians deliberate on issues".