Religious leaders in Ghana took to the streets of Kumasi on October 1 to promote peace ahead of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
This peaceful march, comprising pastors and imams, aimed to intensify calls for calm before, during, and after the elections.
The event coincided with a crucial Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, where the Electoral Commission (EC) engaged with political parties and interest groups to address concerns about the voters’ register.
The religious leaders also met with EC officials, urging them to remain steadfast in their duties as the electoral management body. This meeting underscored the importance of the EC’s role in ensuring a smooth and peaceful electoral process.
The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has been vocal about promoting peace during the election period. Rev. Dr. Cyril G. K. Fayose, the General Secretary of the CCG, emphasized the need for religious leaders to use their platforms to spread peace-building messages. He also cautioned against using religion to inflame passions or justify violence.
Similarly, the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has advised the Christian community to refrain from using their religious affiliations to justify violence or conflict. Apostle Immanuel Tettey, GPCC’s General Secretary, stressed the importance of circumspection in religious and ethnic affiliations.
The National Peace Council (NPC) has also weighed in on the issue. Chairman Reverend Ernest Adu-Gyamfi noted that the 2024 elections will test Ghana’s peace, unity, and stability. He emphasized the need for religious leaders to preach and demonstrate peace.
The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) and the Christian Council of Ghana have collaborated on peace conferences, bringing together religious leaders, youth, women, and civil society members. These conferences aim to promote peace and remind participants of their critical roles in maintaining peace during the elections.
Sheikh Mohammed Mustapha, Chairman of the Media Committee of the Ashanti Region branch of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’a (ASWAJ), urged the media to report soberly and without bias. He also encouraged youth to vote for innovative leaders who can address their economic and social needs.
The EC has outlined its agenda for the elections, including a mop-up registration exercise and the exhibition of the voters’ register. The Deputy Chairman of the EC, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, assured that the commission is on course for a smooth election exercise.
The Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, pledged the police’s readiness to provide security for a peaceful election. He appealed to journalists and media outlets to desist from spreading fake news that could incite violence.
Ghana’s religious leaders are taking proactive steps to promote peace and stability during the 2024 elections. Their efforts, combined with the EC’s preparations and the security forces’ readiness, aim to ensure a successful and peaceful electoral process.
