ELECTION Does Not Mean VIOLENCE!
22nd June, 2016
"Peace is a journey of 1000 miles and it must be taken
one step at a time" as Lyndon B. Johnson aptly puts it.
This year 2016 creates an atmosphere where Ghanaians will be
in a position to take a step of an election journey.
The most pertinent question is not "Who will win the
election" but "Will our nation get peace-wrecked after we have
fulfilled our constitutional rights of going to the polls?"
This article is not to criticize aspiring leaders or politicians,
neither is it written on partisan basis but to advocate for peace during this
election season.
Let us all unite and advocate for peace beyond
our individualistic concerns and political affiliations. The peace of
Ghana is my peace, your peace and the peace of generations unborn.
Great leaders who have departed from us were hungry not for
power, but for peace.
Nelson Mandela made it clear when he made this
statement,
"I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.
"
So if I may ask our current generation, What is your dream
for Ghana and Africa?
As a political aspirant, What is your dream?
As a citizen, What is your dream?
Is your dream that which is backed by selfish motives?
Limited to caucus interest?
Politician, to gain power and amass wealth?
To siphon the nation's resources all to yourself?
Is that all your dream?
People, let us look beyond mere power, for
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power,
the world will know peace" Jimi Hendrise.
Jean-Bertrand Aristide once said,
"We must all make peace so that we can all live in
peace"
A youth activist, E.K.D. Oppong passionately expressed
"Peace remains a national asset of every democratic state; it is prudent
thereof as youths of this country we avail ourselves to live and advocate for
peace, before, during and after elections"
All citizens, young and old, strong and weak, must make
efforts to promote peace and not engage in any sinister activity that will
spearhead riot during this election period.
"It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is
necessary we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and SACRIFICE for
it."
In our actions and inactions, we must sacrifice for peace.
Some utterances must be forcefully and diplomatically
swallowed as you and I, as our sacrifice for peace.
Angry fists and fingers must be calmly put at our backs for
the power of the thumb to decide.
Machetes, cutlasses, knives, instruments of violence and
war, as well as blood spilling objects must be peacefully laid down as our sacrifice
for peace.
Women in Ghana must arise, brave all odds and come to the
realization that they have proactive and active roles to play in this election
period.
The political climate is getting tensed each day and women
must make their voices heard rather than being passive observers; for when a
nation is denied of its peace, they become the most vulnerable victims.
Women are known to be good talkers and this is the time to
capitalize on their talking abilities and strength to advocate for peace and also,
uniting to form peace coalitions so as to achieve a common purpose; which is
the peace of Ghana and Africa.
History can take us back to trace the various roles women
played in their societies to ensure peace, with the likes of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah
Gbowee, Betty Friedan, Maya Angelou...
Mother Theresa, a woman of great influence asserted,
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten
we belong to each other"
Truly, if we lose sight of the fact that we are one people
and we belong to each other, then we will begin to wage war against ourselves.
If as a nation, we are well-lived by this quote of Mother
Theresa, peace will be the nation's bread.
It takes years to build but it can take a day or less to
destroy.
In casting our individual votes, let us remain as one
people, neutral on the outside, allowing our political affiliation to be deep
seated within us, tolerating the opinions of each political party and eschewing
all forms of bickering and derogatory comments that could jeopardize the peace
and tranquility of the country.
As Ghanaians, peace has been our national heritage, which we
must be proud of and protect fearfully with all diligence.
National interests of political stability and peace should
be our responsibilities as youths during this electioneering year. We must be
an active force championing Peace, advocating for voilent-free processes rather
than muting our right conscience of nationalism to "die" for partisan
interests. Its a call of duty, and we must arise as youths of Ghana to defend
our democratic integrity.
I entreat and encourage our youths, especially the educated
elites; greatly influencing societies to avail themselves actively to promote
peace-talks or campaigns within their respective societies. A stable political
environment before, during and after elections is a national treasure we must
protect and defend in one spirit--Nationalism!
Our aspiring leaders and politicians must realize that they
are the vehicles through which our dreams of having a peaceful election are translated
to reality.
They must play politics with conscience and have in mind
that election into power is not a "do or die" affair which should
make them hungry for power to the detriment of human lives and property.
The Electoral Commission, the body that controls all facets
of our elections must ensure that their conducts in discharging their duties of
accountability are fair and just.
"The effective and fervent prayers of a righteous man
availeth much" the Christian Bible preaches
Quran 2:110 teaches " And be steadfast in prayer and
whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with
Allah. For Allah sees well all that ye do"
With the teachings in Christianity and Islam concerning
prayer, I thereby plead with all Ghanaians that whenever they say a prayer,
they should pray for the peace of our beloved country.
It is my devout hope, as the hope of many others, to observe
a peaceful, violent-free election.
Together, let us stay peaceful in the upcoming elections;
for peace blossoms, peace spreads, peace illuminates and peace fulfills.
Ghana needs peace and not to be left in pieces.
Regards:
-Joyce Ohenewaa Kwapong
0246234950 / 0267968373
joycekwapong@gmail.com
Activist, Women and Children
University of Ghana, Accra City Campus.
-E.K.D. Oppong
0276168644
Perseverance_2012@yahoo.com
Youth Activist, Gh
University of Cape Coast
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