‘Ghana March4Peace slated for November
By Chris Twum
The biggest-ever national Peace-March to be held concurrently across all regions of Ghana towards this year’s elections is slated for November 10th 2012.
The event, christened: ‘GH. March4Peace’ aims at mobilising one million people, especially the youth, out on the streets of the ten regions of Ghana, who would march to call for peace and to register in the minds of the politician that Ghana is greater and more important to the citizenry than any other parochial, personal or political party interest.
Peaceful Spirit International, a non-profit and politically neutral organisation is organising the march in collaboration with the National Peace Council, a body established by an act of parliament to facilitate and develop mechanism for conflict prevention, management, resolution and sustainable peace in the country.
The event aims not only to invoke the Ghanaian sense of pride, patriotism, selflessness and the strong desire to make a significant contribution towards nation building which were exhibited by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, J.B. Danquah, Ako Adjei and many other people who contributed in diverse ways to lay the foundational pillars of what we now call Mother Ghana, but also to remind all Ghanaians that it is time for each and every one of us to contribute our bit to our dear country, as the words of the Ephraim Amu’s ‘yen ara asasi ni’ says.
Other supporters of the match include local and international institutions, political groupings, civil society groups, the media, musicians, soccer fans and Ghanaians from all walks of life.
This historic march also has the objective of denying the politician the “pleasure” of making Ghanaians refugees in some other countries by making step further in deepening the country’s democratic laurels.
2012 is an election year, and the country is bound to witness a lot of political party activities. Already the political temperature is heated with many activists making unsavoury remarks flaming passions and causing unnecessary tensions and insecurity.
The recent ethnic conflicts in certain parts of the country and the kind of unpalatable and illogical analysis people are making on airwaves, should tell us as Ghanaians, especially the youth, who hold the future, of the need to lead the crusade for peace before, during and after the general elections making sure that we ourselves do not become agents and or victims of violence in whatever form.
The decision to March4Peace originates form a simple idea on Facebook, which today has assumed a national and international dimension with many individuals, groups and international organisations sharing fantastic ideas and declaring their unflinching support in various forms.
“We need to make a walking statement now! The much awaited peace march will demonstrate to the world, the will and wishes of the Ghanaian intelligent electorate and sound a strong message to the political parties and cronies that our votes will not come from spewing out intemperate language or from divisive machinations.
Peace in Ghana is more important to us the citizenry than the outcome of an election. We can’t afford to become refugees. Politicians must conduct themselves in a manner that will inure to a peaceful electioneering campaign and making mother Ghana’s interest the most important campaign message,” CEO of Peaceful Spirit Int. , Nii Odoi-Nukpa Okerchiri said.
“Peaceful Spirit wishes to state that it entirely supports the efforts being made by the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) in collaboration with the Office of the National Chief Imam (ONCI) towards sensitizing politicians on the need for peaceful elections.
We agree that educating people to understand the various stages of the electoral process, which the GPCC and ONCI seek to achieve, will go a long way to encourage responsible behavior and create the needed awareness and commitment for ensuring peaceful elections.”
“It is important for all to accept to live in peace and harmony regardless of our differences in opinions Political activists should be mindful of their pronouncements and refrain from acts that could trigger security challenges,” Nii Odoi-Nukpa Okerchiri added.
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