By Nana Effei
Two separate stakeholders in nation building- the Media Coalition and the Peace Council, are imploring the Inspector General of Police(IGP) George Akufo Dampare, the newly voted into power National Democratic Congress (NDC), and all other security agencies to ensure there is total peace and order in the country after the elections.
The Media Coalition comprises the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), Private Newspaper and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) and New Media Association of Ghana (NMAG),
At a press conference, yesterday, at the Gifty Afenyi Dadzie Hall of the Ghana International Press Center, in Accra , the President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Dwumfour, commended the Ghana Police Service and all other Security agencies who took part in ensuring peace and order before and during the elections.
He as quick to however urge the IGP and all his agencies to intervene to safeguard state properties and the lives of the ordinary Ghanaians from the hands of those people who have taken to the streets to disturb the peace and also looting state assets.
He disclosed emphatically that, having coordinated a very peaceful election, the Media Coalition totally frowns on the attitudes of some party members and followers who want to take the laws into their own hands to create unnecessary chaos in the country.
Mr. Dwumfour, stressed that it is incumbent on the IGP to call those perpetuators to book to serve as a deterrent to all others. He also called on the political parties’ leadership, to call their people to order as soon as possible to help maintain the peace of this nation.
The GJA president, on the other hand, commended his members (journalists) for their hard work, commitment, and dedication before, during and even after the Elections.
He also commended the Electoral Commission of Ghana and all other agencies for their efforts to ensure a very Free, Fair, and Peaceful Elections, and called on all Ghanaians to continue to show them that maturity they have shown all through the process and over the years.
Also on his part, the President of the Independent Broadcasters Association of Ghana, Sunkwa Mills, in his submission, showed great appreciation to the media owners, both local and international for their patriotic attitudes of willingly releasing their reporters to widely and extensively cover the length and breadth of this elections to ensure the ordinary Ghanaian is well-informed about every bit of the process, despite all the risk and cost involved.
Also, the National Peace Council (NPC) has expressed deep concern over reports of destruction, looting, and violence linked to the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
In a statement issued Monday, December 9, the NPC condemned the incidents and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering peace and stability across the country.
Describing the violence as unacceptable, NPC Chairman Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi called for calm and urged all stakeholders to work collaboratively to address the issues.
“The National Peace Council (NPC) Head Office is aware of reports of the destruction of offices and looting of warehouses related to the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections in a number of locations. We are saddened by every incident of electoral violence and strongly condemn them,” it stated.
The NPC highlighted the efforts of its 16 Regional Peace Councils, which are actively working to mediate and restore order in affected areas. Regional Chairmen and Executive Secretaries have been engaging with stakeholders, including the Regional Inter-Party Advisory Committees (RIPAC), the Ghana Police Service, and Regional Security Councils (REGSECs), to address the tensions.
“At the regional level, our offices are closely monitoring these incidents and escalating them to the appropriate authorities for swift action,” the statement noted.
“Our Regional Peace Councils (RPCs) continue to play a vital role on the ground in every one of Ghana’s 16 regions. Our teams have been working tirelessly behind the scenes over the weekend to mediate and expedite resolutions and closure of many of the tragic incidents of electoral violence we have witnessed as a nation,” he said.
At the national level, the NPC is coordinating with the Electoral Commission, the National Election Security Taskforce led by the Inspector-General of Police, and other key stakeholders to address ongoing incidents. The Council emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure and peaceful environment as the nation moves forward from the elections.
The NPC reiterated its commitment to fostering dialogue and resolution through its established structures and urged all political actors and citizens to prioritize peace.
