Activista Ghana, a youth group has called on the Electoral Commission to adequately address concerns of opposition political parties and civil society organizations in a manner that is realistic and averts the potential political tension in the country.
The group said it was significant for the Electoral Commission to listen, collaborate and engage the stakeholders and key players in the upcoming elections in ways that will address all genuine concerns.
At a news conference in Tamale, the Northern regional coordinator, Iddi Yussif Rayan also called on leaders and key actors to address the challenging issue of partisan vigilante groups that have become a threat to the peace of Ghana.
They called on the President and leadership of various political parties to address the concerned issues before moving on with planned schedules by the EC to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The Activista youth group also called on the National Peace Council to consider the concerns by various political parties regarding the road map for peace and should not relent on their efforts to addressing critical and sensitive concerns raised in ways that are progressive and non-partisan.
They said the peaceful outcome of Election 2020 depends on political parties and all other stakeholders’ and consensus prior to election 2020 among various stakeholders was important in achieving a peaceful electoral process.
Below is the full statement issued by Activista Ghana.
PRESS RELEASE ON MATTERS ARISING PRIOR TO THE 2020 ELECTIONS: ENSURING A PEACEFUL ELECTION – THE YOUTH VOICE
The 1992 Constitution Act 55(5) states” the internal organization of a political party shall conform to democratic principles, and its actions and purposes shall not contravene or be inconsistent with this constitution or any law.”
The press and citizens of our motherland Ghana, the youth of Ghana have become political tools for selfish political gains by self-seeking political parties. It is unfortunate for political parties to disregard the plight and hopes of young people regarding their education and employment needs, but take advantage of vulnerable youth and use young people as tools to incite violence during elections.
Leaders of our dear country and political parties owe themselves and future generations the responsibility to create and sustain peaceful coexistence among citizens regardless of ethnicity, political party differences, and economic class. Our country is faced with yet another giant milestone. The Election 2020 is just a couple of months away and puts Ghana to a test one more time. Will we continue to be the good example in Africa? Will selfish and greed eat up our collective conscience and peaceful societies? We are faced with enormous challenges that call for selflessness, vision, and leadership. The current circumstances leave so much to be desired but still, Ghana does not seem to be prepared enough for the challenges that lie ahead. Political parties seem to have lost trust in the electoral commission as an independent adjudicator of the impending elections and therefore this development is a worrying scene in the context of being free and fair that is built on reciprocity and mutual trust in the electoral regime.
Considering past electoral tensions that characterize the pronouncement of election results, it is significant for all actors to trust the system of governance regarding the elections and conduct of electoral officials. The suggestion by the Electoral Commission to conduct an entirely new voters’ register raises enormous concerns by different political parties and civil society organizations. These concerns seem to fall on deaf ears of the electoral commission and the government of Ghana. There is a saying that; “there is never a smoke without fire beneath it”. The Electoral Commission must adequately address the concerns of the opposition parties and civil society organizations in a manner that is realistic and averts the potential political tension in Ghana. It is therefore significant and wise for the Electoral Commission to listen, collaborate and engage the stakeholders and key players in the upcoming elections in ways that address the expressed concerns.
The call by civil society organizations and many other institutions for “No new Register” must be respected. The concerns are largely based on factors such as cost and timing. The opponents are of the view that the EC will require more time to register all prospective voters and prepare the register for the elections. We the youth, have heard from the EC and opposition parties as well as civil society organizations and we plead with them all to come to common terms for the good of mother Ghana.
We the youth of Activista Ghana calls on H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo, the father of our land and the Electoral Commission to as a matter of urgency, address these issues raised. We also call on leaders and key actors to address the challenging issue of partisan vigilante groups that have become a threat to the peace of Ghana. Many idle youths have been lured by selfseeking politicians to create tension and confusion during elections. This must not be allowed in the impending elections. The President and leaders of political parties must address these issues, as well as concerns of the new voters register to ensure they come to a consensus before moving on with planned schedules by the EC.
Women, children, and young people are vulnerable when violence or conflicts break out in our communities. There is clear evidence of these groups being affected by the ulterior desires for power by political parties at the expense of vulnerable groups. Political actors must put Ghana first and do the needful to sustain the peace we enjoy.
To the Eminent Advisory Body to the EC, we doubt not your ability, competence, and experience and thus call on you to stand taller than the needless and petty partisanship that characterizes decisions in Ghana. We look forward to your efficient and effective advice to promote and sustain the peace of mother Ghana. It will be more worrying to youth and vulnerable groups if the influence of the eminent advisory body doesn’t have any effect on the EC.
We the youths also call on the National Peace Council to consider the concerns by various political parties regarding the road map for peace and should not undermine or relent their efforts to address critical and sensitive concerns raised in ways that are progressive and non-partisan.
The peaceful outcome of Election 2020 depends on political parties and all other stakeholders’ consensus around commonly agreed terms to activities and events prior to election 2020. Disbandment of party militias and the withdrawal of unqualified persons from the security agents should be enforced as advised by the Emil Short Commissions’ report.
Youth are worried and feel uncomfortable of the trending issues prior to the election 2020, Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election dispute, is still fresh and has scarred the minds of Ghanaians. We anticipate that our father the commander in chief of the Ghana armed force, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo will kindly and respectfully address the recommendations of the Emily Shorts commission, the call by Interparty Resistance force against New voters Register among others.
We also duly call on the youth to resist any form of temptation by selfish and visionless political parties that will call on them to serve as their vigilantes to fight or incite violence. We are more productive and efficient than what they perceive of our youthfulness, hence we will not let anyone deceive us with a peanut in exchange for our precious life and dignity, Ghana is the only country we have.
To the media, we thank you for your consistent effort in unmasking the perpetrators of violence. Your service is required significantly and we urge that you engage the citizens more by updating them on matters or issues related to the elections.
Together we can sustain the peace we enjoy.
Arise Ghana youth
The nation demands your devotion
Let us unite against violence
Let us all unite to promote peaceful and fair elections.
Long live the Activista Ghana
Long live mother Ghana
Source: Edward A. Ken-Zorre | www.diamondfmonline.com Ghana
1 comment
Interest in communication with member