The Eastern Regional Peace Council has held a forum on consensus dialogue and advocacy campaign on the eradication of vigilantism and its related offences as part of efforts to forestall peace ahead of the 2020 general elections.
The forum held in Diocesan Pastoral Training Centre – Koforidua was attended by representatives of political parties, youth groups, Centre for Human Rights Assistance and Public Legal Education, Christian Council, Community Impact Volunteers of Ghana the media, electoral commission, police and others.
Organized by the National Peace Council (NPC), the forum sought to deepen the process of dialogue in finding a sustainable solution to the disturbing phenomenon of violent vigilante activities.
Very Rev. Father Andrew Dunyo, the Chairman of the Eastern Regional Peace Council said elections must be based on ideas and not insults and wars as the country prepares for the upcoming general elections slated for December.
He said, the ongoing voter’s registration exercise has witnessed a series of confrontations and agitations leading to various forms of violence and has, therefore, condemned such act.
According to him, the recent violence in areas such as Atiwa, Ayawaso and Talensi should be a wakeup call and sparked the need for the disbandment of political vigilantism.
In spite of that, he has commended government for concluding talks with the two biggest political parties in the country – the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) to sign on to the vigilantism and related offences in (Act. 999).
Mr Dunyo has, therefore, entreated stakeholders to be election ambassadors by championing the cause of peace, make an impact with Ghanaians, admitting that the Peace Council alone cannot do it.
The Regional Chairman has hinted of issuing a communique to let politicians and the entire country know and understand that they cannot compromise on peace in the country and the region as well.
“We pledge and stand for peace now and always and we will work diligently with all stakeholders to ensure that vigilantism has no place in our body politics. The task of rooting out vigilantism from our body politics is a huge one but not when there is a will” he said.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Sylvester Ntim
