The Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has called for peaceful elections come December 7 and urged politicians to avoid utterances and actions likely to create disunity among the citizenry.
“Your words should unite the people rather than divide them. No politician should give any weapons or harmful objects to any persons to cause harm to lives or property. We should not forget we are one people, bonded together with a common destiny,” it said.
At a news conference in Accra on Saturday, Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI, the Paramount Chief of Osu and President of the House, said in a statement he read that; “Per our records so far in terms of election, Ghana has been to the polls seven times and has come out successfully.”
“It is a feather in our cup and we need to commend ourselves for this achievement.”
“We believe this upcoming election is no difference. We know we can go through this as one people and as traditional authorities and fathers of the land, we are requesting all and sundry to exhibit good manners in order for the country to enjoy a smooth and a peaceful election.”
He said elections were contests of ideas and proven track records to enable the electorate make informed decisions, adding; “In these modern times and age no responsible leader will ask his followers to indulge in violence. To secure power you do not have to kill.”
It entreated the Electoral Commission (EC) to create a level playing field for all candidates and eschew any form of bias.
“The EC should not be swayed by people’s emotions and unnecessary demands from all political parties. The EC must stick to what the Constitution mandates it to do and make sure everybody exercises his or her franchise as a citizen of Ghana,” Nii Kinka Dowuona said.
He implored the electorate not to allow politicians to use them for any negative deeds, saying; “Our mandate is our right and we should not allow ourselves to be manipulated to suit the whims and caprices of some individuals.”
“Let’s be each other’s keeper because political parties will come and go but Ghana and our family systems will forever exist.”
