As the December 7 general election approaches, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged Ghanaians to prioritise their safety and avoid any form of violence before, during and after the election.
Speaking at a media advocacy workshop in Tamale, the Chairperson of the NCCE, Kathleen Addy, emphasised that every individual has the right to campaign for their preferred political party, but should refrain from engaging in violent activities.
Ms Addy also called on Ghanaians to hold accountable politicians who incite violence or encourage them to take up arms for political gains.
She urged citizens to embrace democracy, promote peaceful participation, and reject all forms of electoral violence.
“It is in the enlightened self-interest of every citizen to understand this principle that losing your life, getting injured, shedding blood for political power is not worth it. Those who lost their lives did not gain it back.
“If you go and undertake violent activities, even if your party wins, if you are dead you are gone. If you are injured, you are injured. If you lose a limb, if you lose an eye, it will not grow back. It is in your interest. You must value yourself enough to be able to say, ‘I will not participate in these activities.”
“In our country, we practice a multi-party democracy and people have the right to support any party they want. You have the right to campaign actively and canvass for your party to win.
“Canvassing; going door to door, convincing people about your party’s policies is a lot more effective method of getting votes than fighting. When people come and give you arms, you have to advise them that we will campaign for you because we are in the same party with you, and we can assure you that that will bring more votes than giving us arms to go and kill our brothers and sisters. That we will not do.”
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By: Shawana Yusif
