Dr. Charles Dwamena receiving the petition from Cynthia Sunu, Greater Accra Deputy Youth Coordinator of WSR-Ghana
WOMEN ACROSS Ghana have petitioned the two main political parties – the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) – asking them to promote peace before, during and after the December 7 elections.
The petitions were presented separately at the national headquarters of the two parties in Accra on Thursday by Women’s Situation Room Ghana (WSR-Ghana), a non-partisan group representing the voices of women and children in the country.
“As women, we are gathered here today to call on your executives and supporters to do all in their power to remain calm and resolute as the Election Day unfolds,” the petitions read.
The women argued that they and their children are likely to be worst affected should there be any political conflict in the country emanating from the elections.
“As women, we suffer most with our children when there is violence and will not look on as the security of our beloved country is compromised in the name of politics,” they stated in the petitions.
They admonished the two parties to desist from any acts that are likely to undermine the peace of the country before, during and after the polls.
They also advised the parties to be conscious of the fact that no meaningful socio-economic development can take place when there is war.
“Development cannot take place in the midst of conflict and violence. The situation in some of our conflict-afflicted sister African countries is an example for us as a country to choose the path of peace,” part of the petition read.
Attacks
Already there had been reports of violent confrontations between supporters of the NDC and the NPP, with the most recent one being the reported attacks by supporters of President Mahama and the NDC on the Nima private residence of the leader of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo.
The attack on Mr. Akufo-Addo’s residence received an international condemnation, with the US and the United Kingdom embassies in Ghana threatening to revoke and embargo visas to politicians who will incite violence in this year’s elections.
Justice
Dr. Charles Dwamena, Director of Finance and Administration, NPP, who received the petition on behalf of his party, thanked the women for the path they had chosen, but urged them to extend it to other stakeholders like the Police Service and the Electoral Commission.
He said the women should do everything in their capacity to ensure that justice is done to all, as he argued that there could not be ‘true’ peace without justice.
According to him, the willingness of Nana Akufo-Addo to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court in the 2012 Election Petition case points to the fact that the NPP as a party is committed to peace. Mr Dwamena expressed disgust that supporters of the party continue to be attacked by those of the NDC while the police and the National Peace Council look on unconcerned.
Director of Administration, NDC, Zumakpeh, who received the petition from WSR-Ghana on behalf of his party, said the NDC and President John Mahama are committed to ensuring peace.
He said anything that will tamper with the peace of the country will be condemned by the NDC and its leadership.
Peace March
The presentations of the petitions were preceded by a special peace march by about a 1,000 women and youth in Accra.
The Women’s Situation Room was formed in Liberia in 2011 and currently operating in seven African countries, according to the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Christine Evans-Klock. It aims at ensuring that the elections are peaceful.
BY Melvin Tarlue