The Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has called on the clergy in the region to use their platforms to promote peace ahead of the upcoming election.
REGSEC noted that intelligence from recent security assessments has underscored the importance of engaging clergy and community leaders to help sustain the region’s current stability.
In light of these findings, the Council is urging religious leaders to advocate for peaceful conduct among their congregations and the broader community.
During an engagement with clergy, opinion leaders, and Muslim leaders from New Juaben North and South Municipalities, Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong emphasized the vital role these leaders play in maintaining peace, particularly during election periods. Speaking to Citi News, Acheampong appealed for their continued support, noting that their influence could be instrumental in ensuring a calm and orderly electoral process.
“It is incumbent upon us to engage our stakeholders and get them to see the importance of the exercise ahead of us. And what do we need? We only need to ensure that the stability of the state is maintained.
“This engagement is only ensuring that in all the things we do, we should remember that Ghana is one and Ghana must remain before, during and after the 2024 general elections. This is a country where we have pluralism in expressing our relations through association so we have people belonging to all sets of Christianity, Islam, Hindu, Budha, Traditionalists.
“All these congregations congregate under a leadership and they form the generality of our republic. Who best do you engage when you require certain measures that will establish your peace-building? They are the stakeholders, hence we the Regional Security Council took it upon ourselves to engage them and get them to appreciate the civic responsibility on all of us”
Seth Kwame Acheampong who doubles as the Chairman of REGSEC assured the gathering that President Akufo Addo will hand over power to anyone chosen by Ghanaians to lead the country. He also revealed plans by the general election security task force to deal with persons planning to disturb the peace during this year’s elections.
“We just want everybody to know that the best form of security is the people. So they should appreciate and understand that we are going to come with the tactical we are used to, to maintain order to ensure that we all go about with our normal chores, our businesses, and our duties, in an environment of peace and we will co-exist in peace to ensure everything happens in peace”
The Regional Security Council have met, and we have taken our decisions. The regional security task force is in place, they’ve been working. Our meeting today is as a result of decisions and discussions emanating out of the task force as well as Regional Security meeting reviews”
Meanwhile, the New Juaben South Municipal Chief Executive Isaac Appau Gyasi who has been preaching against violence wants the youth within the Zongo community not to allow themselves to be used for the selfish gains of greedy politicians.
“To my Zongo communities, I will not encourage anybody to go out there and fight a brother or sister. You go, you cast your vote and then you quietly retreat. When it is time for the votes to be counted, you come, listen and whoever is declared winner, you either support or you go back home. You don’t need to fight anybody”
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