Ayawaso Central Municipal NCCE inaugurates IPDC to advocate peaceful 2024 elections
The National Commission for Civic Education( NCCE) of the Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly has inaugurated a 33- member Inter- Party Dialogue Committee( IPDC) to promote the conduct of an incident-free elections through peace advocacy and broader citizen participation in the municipality.
The Committee includes representatives of political parties, the media, traditional authorities, the Municipal Assembly, christian organizations, women and youth groups, NCCE, the Electoral Commission (EC), Persons With Disability and the District Police Commander.
The IPDC would provide an avenue to address citizens electoral concerns, promote tolerance, mitigate potential conflicts while serving as a platform for dialogue and collaboration towards peaceful elections.
Among key activities of the IPDC include engaging stakeholders in resolving inter and intra-party disagreements that could potentially affect the upcoming elections and organizing interactive inter- party fora aim at diffusing tensions that could escalate into violence.
The Municipal IPDC would be chaired by Nii Kpowolunor, Kokomlemle family head, with Superintendent Augustina Enti, Kotobabi Divisional Commander as Vice Chairman.
Others include Rhoda Akueteh, Municipal NCCE Director as Secretary; Mary Lamptey, Women’s Fellowship Leader, Church of Christ, Ayawaso Central as Assistant Secretary; Imam Amin Nassirudeen, Kokomlemle Central Mosque as co- opted member in charge of special duties.
In an address, Mrs.Rhoda Akueteh, the Municipal NCCE Director urged members to contribute their quota to preserve the peace prevailing in the municipality and to collaborate with the Commission to further engage the populace on the aforementioned issues.
She said the death and violence recorded in some parts of the country during the last four year’s election indicates that there was the dire need to deepen and consolidate our democratic tenets and credentials.
Ghana’s situation, she said, provides enough justification for the formation of an IPDC that would act as a buffer zone in the constituencies to serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among political parties, stakeholders and citizens.
According to her, the upcoming electoral period presents a critical time for Ghana, adding that it was essential to ensure that voters were well- informed and engaged.
Mrs. Akuetteh disclosed that the NCCE’s educational campaign anchors on the theme “together we can build Ghana, so Get involved “.
The Municipal Director of the EC, Madam Lydia Anom, gave the assurance that the Commission would deliver on their mandate to ensure a free, fair and credible elections.
She admonished all parties to train their polling agents to report on accurate happenings at the polling stations.
A Divisional Commander of the Kotobabi Police Station, Superintendent Augustina Enti, prevailed on all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful incident- free elections.
The IPDC, she said, could lead the way in promoting constructive engagements, cooperation and effective conflict resolution.
She called for political tolerance and respect on the part of all parties as part of the process to ensuring the desired ultimate goal of peaceful and harmonious elections.
“Our differences should not be a source of conflict but rather a catalyst for constructive dialogue “, she stated.
The Police Commander urged party members to avoid damaging the property of opponents and using confrontational methods to resolve issues.
About Author
