Asiwa (Ash), Sept. 07, GNA – Mr Isaac Ayesu Badu, the Bosome-Freho District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), is urging Ghanaian political parties to avoid tension and conflicts due to ideological differences.
They should cherish diversity in politics since multi-party democracy thrived on participatory governance and tolerance, he noted.
Mr Ayesu Badu, speaking at the launch of the Inter-Party District Dialogue Committee (IDDC) at Asiwa, in the Ashanti Region, stressed the need to foster peaceful co-existence among the parties ahead of the December 07 elections.
The Committee seeks to provide strategies that would help resolve petty conflicts that have the potential to affect the smooth running of the upcoming General Election.
The primary objective is to establish a platform where representatives of the various political parties, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and the media could engage in constructive dialogue.
Some political analysts and independent observers have predicted a keen contest in the Ghanaian elections, as the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) aims to retain power amid the global economic downturn.
Various polls conducted ahead of the General Election suggests a close competition between the NPP and the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
This has set the stage for an uncompromising race, exacerbated by the mounting number of individual candidates who have also expressed interest in contesting in the elections.
Mr Ayesu Badu appealed to stakeholders to resort to dialogue in mitigating electoral violence, urging the parties to demonstrate the resolve in promoting incident-free elections.
Issues relating to propagating hate speeches, ethnocentrism, defamation of character, vote-buying and other unhealthy practices ought to be nipped in the bud, he advised.
Mr Kofi Adu-Amoateng, the District Chief Executive (DCE), said the country had its reputation to protect in this year’s elections given the successes chalked in upholding democratic principles, especially under the Fourth Republican Constitution.
The various political representatives and speakers at the programme underscored the importance of maintaining peace before, during and after the December 07 elections.
