Offinso North: NCCE Hosts Stakeholder Dialogue for Peaceful Elections

The Offinso North District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has inaugurated an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) with the mandate to address issues that could degenerate into violence ahead of the 2024 general election.

The committee, which has representatives from the clergy, security agencies, women and youth groups, Electoral Commission (EC), political parties, NCCE, and the media, serves as a common platform to proactively discuss issues that could potentially disrupt the electoral processes in the district.

Under the auspices of the NCCE, the IPDC is expected to engage all key stakeholders on the need to contribute to a peaceful election.

Madam Margaret Konama, the Regional Director of NCCE, underlined the importance of the committee to the consolidation of multi-party democracy in the country.

She said Ghana had come a long way since returning to constitutional rule and stressed the need for citizens to sustain the gains to ensure accelerated development.

That, she said, could only be achieved in a peaceful environment where everyone is able to express him or herself freely.

She, therefore, encouraged members of the committee to see their membership as a civic responsibility to contribute to peace in the district.

Mr Eric Gyamfi Boateng, the District Director of the EC, said the Commission was not oblivious of the fact that transparent elections were the cornerstone of any democracy, assuring that it was committed to delivering a credible election.

The Commission was working closely with all stakeholders to put together a credible register in order not to compromise the integrity of the process, he said.

He assured the committee that his office was always opened for meaningful engagements that would enhance peace-building ahead of the election.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), J. B. Gyasi Agyemang, the District Police Commander, said the police was ready to provide adequate security throughout the exercise.

He advised the leadership of political parties to counsel their members to engage in peaceful campaigns without flouting the rules and regulations governing the electoral process.

Political party representatives took turns to pledge their commitment to peace before, during and after the election.