Ashanti moves to prevent election-related troubles

As part of efforts to prevent political violence in the Ashanti Region, a regional “election early warning and response group” has been inaugurated.

It would discuss, develop and recommend strategies to deal with threats to the peaceful conduct of the coming presidential and parliamentary polls.

The membership of group include representatives from the Peace Council, academia, women and faith organizations, the security agencies, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and Attorney-General’s Department.

Mr. John Alexander Ackon, the Regional Minister, said it would focus on identifying potential risks of polls violence and help to swiftly tackle these.

This was necessary considering the “Afro barometer 2014 report” that indicated that the confidence of some of Ghanaians in key state institutions was waning due to selfish and personal interest.

He said the trend could not be allowed to continue and that it was important to do everything to aid people to trust and have faith in these institutions.

Mr. Ackon indicated that the conduct of a peaceful election required the concerted effort of all stakeholders and said he had no doubt that people in the region would provide strong backing to the group to keep the area calm.

The Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, Board Chairman of the National Peace Council, said conflicts would come about when people failed to manage them.

He said everybody should accept responsibility and make contribution towards ensuring that this year’s election was violent-free, so that “we all will continue to sit as one people and enjoy life”.

Mr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), said the commission would go to every length to make the polls free, fair and credible.

Ms. Nana Serwah Amoako, a representative of the United States (US) Government said the US would give strong backing to the group.

Source: GNA