Story by: Jennifer Frimpong Wiredu
The Ghana Police Service has assured the public of its readiness to protect the country’s peace before, during, and after the December 7 general polls.
It, however, calls on the public to play a part in ensuring that the country emerges as the winner in this year’s election.
The Director-General of Human Resource Development of the Ghana Police Service, COP Daniel Kwame Afriyie, who represented the Inspector General of Police, at a Peace Prayer Concert organised by the Adventist Church of Darkuman, said the church, as a major stakeholder in the country’s peace, must also play its collective role in this year’s election.
He emphasised that peace is a shared responsibility and that every individual is required to play a part in ensuring that it is protected.
The theme for the concert was “Be an agent of peace, underscores the role of the church in promoting peace in this year’s election”.
COP Daniel Kwame Afriyie advised the youth not to avail themselves of being used as agents of violence. He said they should prioritise the well-being of society through a democratic dispensation whereby individuals’ opinions are tolerated and encouraged.
He added that the election is about selling ideas rather than instigating violence, fear, and panic among the citizenry.
“We are policing the polling centers, we are policing the electoral commission offices across the country.
“In every office, we are making sure there will be security. Security is a shared responsibility, so as police are leading under the leadership of the Inspector General Police, we have our sister security agencies supporting us because we don’t have the numbers to cover all the areas.
Besides providing election security, we must make sure that we continue with our traditional security policing. Our night patrol will continue; we need to gather intelligence and continue our normal police work.
Not because of the elections we leave other things; otherwise, armed robbers and other criminals will take advantage of the situation. And I want to assure you that every polling station will be covered,” he said.
The Greater Accra Regional EC Director Gladys Pinkrah advised the public to be circumspect about how they will jubilate after the election declaration. She said individuals must ensure that their celebrations will not provoke the losing side to create any chaotic scene.
She urged the religious bodies to continue with their prayers for the EC in the quest to deliver a credible, transparent, and fair election.
“I urge everyone to embrace this call to action. Be vigilant in promoting peace within your family, workplace, and community. Let our ways be kind, and actions be guided by understanding in the face of challenges. When there is anger, let us be calm. Let us ask for strength; let us remember the peace; true peace is not only the responsibility of our leaders; it is the responsibility of each and every one of us.”
Director of Army Religious Affairs, Army Headquarters, Colonel Pastor Peter Nyarko Duodu, urged the public to prioritise their future and eschew violence and conflicts.
He said Ghana must learn from the US on how they peacefully exercised their franchise without any chaos.