The National Commission For Civic Education (NCCE) in the Western North Region held an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee Meeting for stakeholders in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality at the Sefwi Wiawso Ghana Health Service Conference Hall.
The Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Director of NCCE, Mr. Lord Swanzy, said that the main purpose of the meeting was to sensitize stakeholders on ways to ensure peace in the upcoming General Election.
Representatives of political parties, the Ghana Police Service, Persons With Disabilities, the Muslim community, the Christian faith, and other stakeholders participated in the event.
Mr. Lord Swanzy mentioned that Ghana’s social, political, and physical economy will develop rapidly if the people live in unity. He admonished the electorate to eschew violence before, during, and after the 7th December parliamentary and presidential elections. He said if Ghana holds a peaceful election, the power transfer from the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) or any other party will happen without hindrances. He noted that political parties welcome the election results knowing it has been generally peaceful and credible.
The NCCE director urged participants to enlighten their community members to vote for leaders based on national development issues. He asked Ghanaians to asses parliamentary and presidential candidates to determine their ability to foster national unity, fight corruption ruthlessly, share the national cake evenly, and create opportunities for all before giving them the mandate through the ballot box to lead Ghana.
He said Ghanaians should not vote for certain partisan politicians who only give out freebies during the election period but disappear when needed to provide basic needs. According to Mr. Lord Swanzy, such once-in-every-four-years handouts, cannot be substitutes for Ghana’s physical and economic growth.
He lamented, “The cash gifts politicians give you once in a blue moon belong to you. They convert your taxes into campaign gifts, which should be used to build roads, medical facilities, schools, public toilet facilities, and more and after the elections, there will be no money to provide such physical infrastructure in your towns and villages. If they win power, they only accumulate wealth and look after their families, friends, and themselves. They abandon the electorate to continue suffering. This does not make sense. Ghanaians should vote wisely, but politicians must manage our national resources meaningfully.”
However, Mr. Lord Swanzy blamed the electorate for encouraging vote buying since they demanded money and other gifts from politicians to vote in a particular way.
In conclusion, he appealed to all and sundry to love one another, eschew violence, and unite to enhance Ghana’s democracy and socio-economic development.
