By
Kodjo Adams, GNA
Accra, Dec 5, GNA – A
Research report conducted by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Ghana
on electoral violence and political vigilantism has suggested the training of
the youth as peace ambassadors in hotspot communities to prevent political
violence.
The training
according to the report would empower them to be interested in peaceful
outcomes in their communities instead of using them as tools to perpetuate
violence.
Ms Mildred Edinam
Adzraku, Research Analyst, CDD-Ghana made the presentation in Accra at a
stakeholder forum on ways to address political violence in the country.
The report was
conducted by CDD-Ghana in collaboration with the Multi-Stakeholder Consultative
Platform in Peace and Governance and supported by the United Nation Development
Programme (UNDP).
It was conducted in
five communities that recorded incidence of electoral violence over the years.
They communities
are; Bolgatanga, Yendi, Sankore, Asawase and Aflao.
The report
recommended that political parties built the capacities of polling agents on
the electoral laws since most of them lacked the requisite knowledge that
resulted in violence at the voting centres.
The report called
for continuous education on peace and to create sustainable jobs for the youth
since most of the political violence and vigilantism were committed by idle
youth.
It also called on
the Electoral Commission to ensure free and fair elections, urging the
religious leaders to continue to preach peace at their various platforms for
positive outcomes.
The report urged
authorities to enforce laws on electoral violence and vigilantism without fear
and favour.
There was the need
to promote inter-party dialogue and disseminate the outcomes with membership of
the parties to understand and act on them.
Ms Silke Hollander,
the Acting Resident of UNDP Representative said the United Nations was elated
to be part of the initiative to curb the menace of electoral violence and
political vigilantism.
She said Ghana
provided an important benchmark on matters relating to good governance and
democracy and had served as a beacon of peace in the African sub-region.
The Sustainable
Development Goals adopted in 2015 are universal geared towards ending poverty,
protecting the planet and ensuring that all people enjoyed peace and
prosperity.
She said the
resilience of the country’s peace was a source of widespread inspiration and
served as cornerstone of development.
Ms Hollander said
the UNDP over the years supported various development initiatives aimed at
contributing to peace in the country, providing technical and financial support
to various peace actors including; women and youth groups.
Mr Samuel Ofosu
Ampofo, the National Chairman, National Democratic Congress welcomed the
research recommendation and pledged to work collectively with party members to
ensure peaceful electoral processes.
He appealed to
development partners and government to support political parties in recruiting
and training party agents to curb the menace of electoral violence and
political vigilantism.
Mr Ampofo urged the
Judiciary to expedite actions on electoral cases to avoid any untoward
situation, since ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’.
Mr Seth Kwame
Acheampong, the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Mpraeso lauded the
recommendation of the findings and expressed satisfaction on the banning of all
vigilantism in the country.
He said the country
would no longer witness electoral violence at the Ayawaso West Wuogon and other
places, calling on all to collectively speak against all forms of violence to
ensure peace and unity.
He urged the
authorities to ensure strict enforcement of the law, stressing that any body
found culpable of engaging in electoral violence must be punished to serve as
deterrent to others.
GNA
