In times like these, conflicts and misunderstandings might occur, but maintaining peace is essential for a successful election process
The Omanhene Kyeame of the Asante Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso I, is urging all Ghanaians to ensure peace during the upcoming December 7 elections.
In a message delivered a day before the elections, Nana Dankawoso who is also the President-General of the Eminent West Africa Nobles Forum (E-WANF), said, that as Ghanaians go to the polls to elect a new president and parliamentarians, the most important element in the process is peace.
He noted that during times like these, conflicts and misunderstandings might occur, but maintaining peace is essential for a successful election process
“Peace is needed before, during, and after the election for it to be meaningful,” he said.
He recalled that “it is exactly four years ago that God had mercy on us to go through a similar election. Many things transpired but by the grace of God we survived and remained as a united people with a common destiny.”
According to Nana Dankawoso, who is also the immediate past President of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ghana has held several peaceful elections since 1992, which has earned it the goodwill of countries worldwide.
“This peaceful way of changing leaders has made Ghana a preferred destination for investors from other countries.
He urged all politicians to go about their campaigning peacefully, telling the people what they have under their sleeves that would make them vote for them and refraining from violence, hate speeches, and divisive discourse.
He advised the people to cast their votes in such a manner that the elections would produce unity, love, and peace at the end of the day.
To Nana Dankawoso, Ghanaians are one people due to intermarriages facilitated by religion and the fact that Ghanaians strongly believe God created all humankind.
“As we chose food at restaurants so do people have the liberty to choose the party they want,” he said.
The revered industrialist ended his message by quoting Galatians 5: 22-26: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (NIV)
Nana Dankawoso’s call to action emphasizes the importance of maintaining harmony and cohesion throughout the electoral process.
Story: Kwabena Kyekyeku
