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The Executive Director of the African Peacebuilding Club, Salam Ramani, has called on the leaders of the various political parties canvassing for votes to endeavour to encourage their supporters to propagate the message of peace during their interactions with the electorate.
He said spreading the message of peace was very important in building upon the peace of the country, which has been hailed as a beacon of hope for the institutionalisation of the practice of democracy on the continent.
Mr Ramani told the Daily Graphic that without peace there was no way the country could develop and so there was the need to uphold and sustain the peace for national development to take place.
“Presidential aspirants canvasing for votes throughout the country for the 2024 general election should create a peaceful environment to promote peace and unity among the people to ensure we have free, fair and transparent elections,” he emphasised.
Moreover, he said political messages to chiefs and their people during campaigning, especially those in conflict areas should also be focused on promoting peace and not to create any form of tension and divisions.
Politicians, Mr Ramani said, should work to speak about peace and unity among citizenry, adding that the “The peaceful environment and atmosphere that the nation is experiencing is valuable and should be appreciated by all”.
“Our political leaders should be ready to take responsibility for their actions if their promises and statements cause conflicts, loss of innocent lives and properties.
Political power should be used to aid national unity, peace and development, and not to create undue tension and divisions and promote conflicts in the country or part of it,” he said.
Ghana's democratic status, Mr Ramani said, had won the admiration of all, including the international community and Ghanaians at large and that, political leaders should stay neutral and allow state institutions to function effectively without interference in their day-to-day operations.
As key stakeholders, he said, they could make suggestions on how seamless their work could be done in a free and fair manner to the benefit and acceptability of all the parties.
