By Julius K. Satsi, GNA
Accra, Oct. 10, GNA – Mr Adam Bonaa, a
Security Analyst has urged Ghanaians planning to cause havoc in the 2020
general elections to desist from the act as it would destroy the high earned
reputation of the country.
Mr Bonaa, who is also the Chief Executive
Officer of Security Warehouse Limited, said desisting from causing any form of
havoc would help to prevent the violence that happened during the Ayawaso West
Wuogon by-election on January 31, this year.
He said this, when he took his turn on
Wednesday at a public forum on electoral violence organised by the Coalition of
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Against Political Vigilantism.
The forum, which was on the theme:
“Ayawaso West Wuogon, Recounting the Cost, Healing the Victims”
sought to enlighten and empower citizens to kick against any form of electoral
violence as the country prepares for 2020 general elections.
Mr Bonaa said the best way to curb the issue
of political vigilantism was through dialogue, but not through legislation,
commending the Peace Council for having started a dialogue between the two
major political parties although it could not yield its fruits.
He said the recently passed Law on
Vigilantism was not in the position to help salvage the canker of political
vigilantism because of the numerous non-operational laws that existed in the
country.
The Security Analyst urged Ghanaians to be
watchful, capture on record if possible, and report any activities of persons
that seek to destabilise the peace of the nation, especially before and during
the general elections.
On his part, Superintendent (Rtd) Peter
Lanchene Toobu, the Former Secretary to the Inspector-General of Police, David
Asante-Apeatu, said vigilantism was birthed some 25 years ago and had been
nurtured over the years by both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the
New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr Toobu, who is also the Parliamentary
Candidate for the NDC for Wa West Constituency said the Ayawaso West Wuogon was
not a pleasant event and it should not be repeated.
He said it was a wake-up call for the major
political parties and all Ghanaians to act prudently to prevent such a canker
from manifesting in the election year.
He commended the Emile Short Commission of
Enquiry for the great work done to unravel the facts surrounding the electoral
violence but said the Government’s white paper on the Commission’s Report was
not white enough as it did not act on the recommendations.
Dr Joana Larry Afutei, a Clinical
Psychologist and a Lecturer at the University of Ghana, said the incidence in
question if not addressed properly could prevent victims from taking part in
the electoral processes due to the continuos replay of the violence in their
memories.
Asked what could be done to reintegrate the
victims into the electoral process, she said there was the need to have a
national counselling session for all victims by qualified psychologists.
Mr Thompson Mensah, the Chairman of the
Coalition of CSOs Against Political Vigilantism urged the Government to extend
helping hands to the victims of the Ayawaso West Wuogon election violence as
some were still receiving treatment at the Hospital without any government
support.
He urged government to ensure justice for
the victims of the incidence to prevent any form retaliation or vengeance
before or during the general elections.
GNA
