By Jacqueline Emefa Ampo and Mabel Esinam Awagah
Chairperson of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), Ghana Chapter, Dr. Charity Binka says women and children bear the brunt of political violence and instability, hence the urgent need for stakeholders in elections to protect their well-being during elections.
She challenged political parties to prioritise peace before, during, and after elections to safeguard the peace and stability prevailing in the country currently.
Dr Binka made the remark when the Women’s Situation Room, an Advocacy group, submitted petitions to political parties including NPP, NDC, and CPP during their Peace Walk 2024 in Accra.
The peace walk is to remind political leaders and Ghanaians of the essence of peace and inclusiveness. It also seeks to advocate women’s participation in decision-making. Presenting the petition to the political parties, she urged them to comply with the country’s electoral laws and adhere to the code of conduct.
“We want peace because, when there’s chaos, when there’s violence, is women who suffer most! women and children, young people, the youth. Usually they use the youths to cause violence. So we are saying that we as women of this country since we are the people who usually bear the brunt of all this violence that we tend to see, we must add to the peace call because we have a voice.“
Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, Michael Nketia, assured Ghanaians of the party’s dedication to peace during and after the elections.
“Since 1992 we’ve demonstrated clearly that we’re a party that believes in peace, that believes in the rule of law and we have always been committed to it. And we are assuring the good people of Ghana that regardless of the outcome, NPP is going to be committed to peace,” he assured.
Responding to the petition, General Secretary of the CPP, Kwame Nkrumah Botsio, acknowledged the invaluable role of women in nation building and expressed the party’s resolve to ensure the safety and well-being of all Ghanaians.
“We are happy to receive you here to the home of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the 75 year old party, the oldest party in Ghana that gave birth to this country. We are concerned about peace during this election because this party gave birth to this country and we know that together with all the other political parties, we will not fail Ghanaians,” he said.
Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, was confident in the party’s chances of winning the upcoming elections, stating that they would not engage in any action that has the tendency of fomenting trouble.
“NDC as a political party is very peaceful. If you have followed events that have led up to this far, you’ll realise that if not for the fact that the biggest opposition party in Ghana is peaceful, we may not be where we are today, so we can assure you that we know we are winning the election; we are sure of it. So, we are not going to do anything to undermine the enjoyment of the victory that we are going to win,” she emphasised.
Some of the peace campaigners were in possession of placards, some of which read, “Peaceful Election Starts with You” Promote Peace, Reject Violence” and “It’s an Election, Not War, Ballots Not Bullets”.
