By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
As Ghana prepares for the December 7 presidential election, market women in Kasoa, located in the central region of Ghana, are emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace during and after the polls.
This comes after Ghana’s presidential candidates signed a Peace Pact on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the Kempinski Hotel, committing to a peaceful electoral process.
In a series of interviews, the market women shared their thoughts on how to promote peace and stability in the aftermath of the election.
Some advised that after voting, citizens should return home or to their markets, focusing on their daily activities rather than getting entangled in any potential conflicts.
Others emphasized that it’s not their duty to monitor the electoral process, and that those who do so may have ulterior motives.
The market women also expressed skepticism about the likelihood of presidential candidates or their family members inciting violence. Instead, they pointed to “political animals” – individuals who allow themselves to be used by politicians to cause harm – as potential disruptors of the peace.
One recurring theme in the interviews was the importance of prioritizing peace above all else. As one woman put it, “Even if you have peace and you don’t have food to eat, you have peace,” she stated.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia was also cited as a cautionary tale, with one woman stating that despite having wealth, people without peace are forced to flee their homes.
Ultimately, the market women urged Ghanaians to maintain peace, regardless of the election’s outcome.
As one woman advised, “After voting, go back to your place, go back to your home, come back to the markets… We should maintain peace,” they asserted.
