The Peace Council is optimistic about the progress made in the fight against militancy

General News on Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Source: Ghananewsagency.org

2019-04-30

Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, President of the National Peace Council (NPC), expressed his optimism about the progress made in efforts to put an end to political vigilance.

This comes as leaders of two major political parties – the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in power and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) met in Peduase in the eastern region to discuss ways to draw a line in the cycle of political violence badociated with election campaigns.

It was the second time that they had been meeting to try to find a common ground on how to control self-defense groups aligned with their parties.

Pastor Asante said: "The Council is convinced that the leaders of the NPP and NDC, who enjoy the trust of our people since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, will reflect on Ghana's path to freedom and lead to # 39; inevitable. conclusion that our only alternative in the midst of a vicious obstacle, vigilantism, is to unite with a renewed and common resolve against the phenomenon, as it rapidly erodes our hard-won democratic gains.

We can not let militancy become a permanent feature of Ghanaian politics. "

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, he said: "We must overcome this threat, strive to ensure fairness in politics and show respect for each other and vis-à-vis to the processes we have collectively designed to guide decision-making in this country. "

This, he added, was fundamental to the smooth functioning of any democratic society.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, in his speech on the state of the nation before Parliament on February 21, called on leaders of both sides to work together to dissolve their self-defense groups.

He added that he would introduce a bill to end the threat if the parties fail to dissolve these groups.

Mr. Freddie Blay, National President of the NPP, and Mr. John Boadu, Secretary General, led the delegation of the ruling party to the talks.

That of the NDC opposition was led by Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, National President and Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Secretary General.

Reverend Prof Asante said that a statement issued after their first meeting gave hope to Ghanaians that their leaders were ready to eliminate, once and for all, the vigil activities of the party .

The Peduase meeting was to continue where they had stopped – to exchange ideas on how to work together to eliminate vigilance in politics.

"We owe it to our people to live up to the values ​​and aspirations that drove our ancestors to fight for the freedoms we currently enjoy and which we probably take for granted," he said.

"We are known to be a country that respects the rule of law and fundamental freedoms clearly stated in our constitution.

We aspire to a country that is committed to giving meaning to our freedoms by removing all obstacles to peace, equality and socio-economic deprivation. "

He reminded political leaders, in particular the NPP and the NDC, that it was their responsibility to help achieve this aspiration.

"Vigilance, whatever its apparent appeal, is an affront to the people of Ghana, stigmatization reprehensible to our flourishing democracy, a poor example for the younger generations and a betrayal of those who sacrificed their resources and even their lives, to put Ghana on the map as a beacon of peace and hope ".

Mr. Blay and Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo announced their commitment to put an end to political vigilance.