Statement: National Peace Council Must Act On Violence - FGJ

The Forum for Governance and Justice (FGJ) condemns in the strongest terms entities and persons responsible for reported violent acts associated with the ongoing biometric voter registration. In stating our disquiet, we are inclined to question why the National Peace Council (NPC) has been silent in the face of reported acts of violence in various parts of the Country associated with the ongoing biometric voter registration. Given its mandate, one would have expected the Council to make its presence felt by way of making a public statement, and by deploying its members and officers to hot spots across the nation to advocate for a peaceful registration process. The FGJ has a few questions for the National Peace Council: a) Has the Peace Council monitored what is going on in the nation regarding the biometric registration? b) Is the Peace Council aware of the use of Macho-men to disrupt the process in some places and the prevention of citizens to register in some areas because they have different names (from other ethno-linguistic groups) and/or do not speak a particular language? c) Is the Peace Council by its inaction so far, waiting for things to get out of control before it acts? d) Is it the case that the Council does not believe that the pockets of violence at this very early stage of the electoral process will have implications for the up-coming poll on December 7th, 2012. The FGJ calls on the National Peace Council to live up to its core responsibilities. As far as we know, the Council is charged with the responsibility of raising awareness surrounding the use of non-violent strategies in response to conflict through networking, coordination and campaigning. Lastly, the FGJ calls on the security agencies, particularly, the Police Service, to do everything necessary within the law to protect the integrity of the registration process as well as the right of every citizen to register and vote as noted in Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution. As stated in the Constitution �Every citizen of Ghana of eighteen years of age or above and of sound mind has the right to vote and is entitled to be registered as a voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda�. In conclusion, we wish to remind political activists that without peace they will not have anyone to lead nor a platform to exercise political power. We need peace now, we need peace during, and we need peace after the December poll. The FGJ believes that all peace loving Ghanaians and especially the National Peace Council must act now. Signed Dr. Clement A. Apaak Convener, Forum for Governance and Justice - Ghana Dr. Samuel C. K. Buame Leading Member, Forum for Governance and Justice - Ghana