Pastor Thomas Techie Ocran, the President of the Southern Ghana Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, has appealed to the Electoral Commission to be neutral in its activities to ensure peace and stability.
He said the neutrality of the EC and other key state institutions in the up-coming elections would demonstrate to Ghanaians and the world that Ghana’s democratic governance was growing.
Pastor Dr Ocran said this at the inauguration of the Pioneer Ghana Administrative Unit of the Church at Agona Swedru in the Agona West Municipality.
The districts under the jurisdiction of the new administrative unit are Agona East, Ajumako-Enyan–Essiam, Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa, Awutu Senya, Effutu, Agona West, Ekumfi and Kasoa.
Pastor Dr Ocran said Ghanaians expected credible, free and fair elections to avert dispute or violence.
It would be very sad that institutions who were supposed to supervise the election were seen either openly or indirectly supporting a political party to the disadvantage of others, he said.
Pastor Dr Ocran urged security agencies including the Police Service, Armed Forces, Immigration Service and the National Fire Service to play effective roles that would bring peace and development to Ghana.
He cautioned the youth not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble during the electioneering.
He appealed to the political leaders to outline good policies and programmes that would encourage the electorate to vote in their favour rather than influence them with money.
Pastor Dr Ocran said the church would continue to pray for Ghana to have peaceful elections, however, political leaders and their supporters must avoid inflammable statements that could spark violence.
Pastor Richard Ntriakwa, President of the Pioneer Ghana Administrative Unit, said the unit was created at Swedru to honour the people of Gomoa and Agona.
He said the church was first established in Ghana in 1888 at Apam in the Central Region.
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