Chairman of the National Peace Council, Professor Emmanuel Asante, has reminded stakeholders particularly, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to keep to the road map and Code of Conducts against political vigilantism.
He said adherence to the road map and code of ethics as agreed upon, would deepen the nation’s democracy and preserve the peace of the country before and after the general elections.
Most Rev. Prof Asante said this at the launch of the 4th edition of Peace Ambassadors Ghana’s nationwide peace campaign under the theme:” Promoting National Peaceful Coexistence: the Role of the Youth” in Accra.
He said any person who took part in any vigilante activity, act as a member or subscribed to its membership had committed a crime according to the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019, (Act 999) and liable to a term of imprisonment not less than ten years and not more than fifteen years.
He said the culture of raining insults, hate speech on political figures and those who genuinely expressed their views concerning political issues should be discouraged to maintain the peace.
Spokesperson, Office of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, for his part, tasked the youth to resist attempts by political parties to use them as tools of violence.
He said political competition should not be reduced to violence, hostility and insults to intimidate but rather policy guided dialogues. He said the youth should value their lives and know that no politician would put his or her child or relative in the front-line during a conflict or war.
President, Ghana Journalist Association, Affail Monney, called on journalists to put the peace of the Nation first in their reportage and should never be selective.
Abukari Inbrana Awudu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peace Ambassadors, said the campaign was to empower women to sensitise and educate their communities and the nation to value the peace enjoyed and not trade it for violence.
