How to resolve AdBlock issue? Catholic Bishops Urge Political Parties to Sign Peace Pact Ahead of December Elections
Thursday, 28 November 2024 | Ghana
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference has strongly urged all political parties in Ghana to sign the peace pact ahead of the December elections, describing the agreement as a critical step in promoting national stability. The President of the Conference, Most Rev. Mathew Kwasi Gyamfi, emphasized that any political party that refuses to sign the peace pact does not deserve the votes of Ghanaians.
Rev. Gyamfi questioned the intentions of any party unwilling to commit to peace, suggesting that such a stance undermines their credibility to govern the country. "If any party were to stand out and say I don’t want peace, then, he does not deserve to be voted for in the country. So it is in their own interest that they put their signatures and accept this peace pact," he stated.
The peace pact is a formal agreement aimed at ensuring that all political parties and their candidates conduct themselves in a manner that upholds national unity and avoids inciting violence during and after the elections. All 12 presidential candidates are expected to sign the agreement today, November 28, alongside representatives of interest groups and civil society organizations.
However, concerns remain over the participation of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the peace pact. Former President John Mahama and the NDC have expressed reservations, with the party's chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, outlining several conditions for their involvement.
The NDC demands that key government officials, including President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief Justice, the National Security Coordinator, and the Attorney-General, also append their signatures to the agreement. The party argues that this would ensure accountability across all key institutions involved in maintaining election security.
Additionally, the NDC has criticized the government for its handling of the deaths of some Ghanaians during the 2020 elections, citing the lack of justice as a reason for their hesitation. The party insists that these concerns must be addressed before they can fully commit to any peace pact.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reaffirmed its unconditional support for the peace agreement. NPP National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye underscored the party’s commitment to peaceful elections and urged other stakeholders to take their responsibilities seriously.
"We are fully committed to this peace pact and we have done so unconditionally over the years," Boakye said. He added that the NPP would not tolerate or condone any misconduct by its members or supporters during the election period.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s call for accountability underscores the importance of maintaining peace during the elections, a critical period in Ghana’s democratic journey. As the signing ceremony approaches, the spotlight remains on the NDC’s final decision and its implications for fostering a unified commitment to peaceful elections.
Rev. Gyamfi questioned the intentions of any party unwilling to commit to peace, suggesting that such a stance undermines their credibility to govern the country. "If any party were to stand out and say I don’t want peace, then, he does not deserve to be voted for in the country. So it is in their own interest that they put their signatures and accept this peace pact," he stated.
The peace pact is a formal agreement aimed at ensuring that all political parties and their candidates conduct themselves in a manner that upholds national unity and avoids inciting violence during and after the elections. All 12 presidential candidates are expected to sign the agreement today, November 28, alongside representatives of interest groups and civil society organizations.
However, concerns remain over the participation of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the peace pact. Former President John Mahama and the NDC have expressed reservations, with the party's chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, outlining several conditions for their involvement.
The NDC demands that key government officials, including President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief Justice, the National Security Coordinator, and the Attorney-General, also append their signatures to the agreement. The party argues that this would ensure accountability across all key institutions involved in maintaining election security.
Additionally, the NDC has criticized the government for its handling of the deaths of some Ghanaians during the 2020 elections, citing the lack of justice as a reason for their hesitation. The party insists that these concerns must be addressed before they can fully commit to any peace pact.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reaffirmed its unconditional support for the peace agreement. NPP National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye underscored the party’s commitment to peaceful elections and urged other stakeholders to take their responsibilities seriously.
"We are fully committed to this peace pact and we have done so unconditionally over the years," Boakye said. He added that the NPP would not tolerate or condone any misconduct by its members or supporters during the election period.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s call for accountability underscores the importance of maintaining peace during the elections, a critical period in Ghana’s democratic journey. As the signing ceremony approaches, the spotlight remains on the NDC’s final decision and its implications for fostering a unified commitment to peaceful elections.