YOUTH ACTIVISTS OF POLITICAL PARTIES AGAINST VIOLENCE (YAPPAV)
PRESS RELEASE ON RECENT INFLAMMATORY STATEMENTS BY POLITICAL LEADERS
We find the political tension in the country currently needless and unnecessary. Politicians from mainly the ruling National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party have been making inflammatory statements that have heightened tension in the country.
We want to tell our political leaders to be circumspect in their utterances. Ghana is the only country we all have. Our leaders should not think they can escape when this peaceful country is on fire. Even if they escape, not all members of their families may escape.
We have enough lessons to learn from our neighboring West African countries. Political violence has caused developments in countries like Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Liberia etc to stall for many years. High rate of unemployment, poverty, hunger and diseases characterize war torn countries. Not to talk of a large generation of children who will not have access to education.
We have come far as a country to lose our enviable democratic stature in Africa. Political stability is one of the key reasons our country has attracted many investments and aids. We are a democratic model for Africa and the World.
Africa is looking up to us, we cannot fail them. The world is looking up to us, we cannot fail them.
Since the beginning of the fourth republic, opposition parties have expressed anxieties towards elections. This anxiety is borne out of the fear a ruling party may try using state institutions to rig or influence the elections.
The responsibility is more on the ruling party to insure and assure Ghanaian electorates and stakeholders that the election will be free, fair and transparent. Hence, government officials have a responsibility towards Ghanaians to desist from making statements that seeks to create tension. Government’s response to politically charged issues must be circumspect.
We believe Presidential Election 2012 will be won by only one presidential candidate. Our political parties must be committed to the democratic process. The Electoral Commission must once again show its impartiality and firmness.
The EC should ensure it carries stakeholders along in the implementation of the Biometric Voter Registration and Verification Exercise. Officers of the Electoral Commission must avoid meeting politicians and political parties in secrecy to avoid suspicions which create the wrong impression.
Our security agencies, especially the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces must be neutral in the discharge of their duties. The law must be enforced without fear or favor irrespective of who is involved. All state institutions must act according to the laws of our country without any form of bias.
The media has a very delicate role to play in all of this. The media should not allow our political leaders or political groupings to use its medium to incite violence in the country. Some media houses are inclined towards political parties, we believe this is not strange in democracy but they should act responsibly in projecting their political agenda. Journalists in the country must be bold. They should refrain from granting interviews that incite violence.
Youth Activists of Political Parties Against Violence (YAPPAV) is made up of patriotic youth activists of political parties in the country. Our vision is to protect the country’s enviable democratic credentials. Our mission is to preach non-violence and peace in our political discourse through the organization of peace seminars, press conferences, peace walks and other activities. As youth activists of political parties, we believe we are better suited to humbly call our leaders to order when they speak or act in ways that could plunge this country into chaos.
We are committed to upholding the principle of objectivity and impartiality in our dealings. We will speak against and expose any political leader or party that openly or subtly incite violence in any part of this country to achieve political ends. The future of this country is in our hands and we will not allow any of our political group or politician to jeopardize it.
SIGNED
PATRIOT FAISAL IBRAHIM
Convenor
0207114511