The National Peace Council has asked security services, and the youth in the country to champion peace and
harmony, before, during, and after the December 7 elections.
This is in the light of the 2024 commemoration of the International Day of Peace, which the Council marked in
Accra, with a forum on the theme: “Cultivating a culture of peace.”
It was attended by officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, Police, Prisons, and Fire, students from Labone Senior
High School, as well as representatives from the South African, United States of America and Denmark Embassies.
Speaking at the event, the Rev Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman, National Peace Council, stated that peace was
necessary for progress and wellbeing of societies, as such all actors must play a role to make the 2024 elections
successful.
He noted that elections were often characterized by tensions and potential conflicts, but encouraged that all actors
embraced the values of dialogue, tolerance, unity and love for the country.
“Let us ensure that our actions before, during, and after the elections reflect the culture of peace we’re committed to
cultivating. Peace must be cultivated daily, and not just during election periods,” he said.
The Daily Searchlight continues to be intrigued by the continued proclamations, calls and exhortations for there to
be peace in Ghana. These calls, at the table tops and with the loudest and highest of voices, always come without a
commensurate call for lawfulness, fairness, justice, constitutionality and all the things that go to make any
democracy thrive and ensure durable, lasting peace.
Even as the nation acknowledges the latest calls for there to be peace, the nation is also grappling with
demonstrations and underhanded methods by the Ghana Police Service and their accomplices on the Bench to beat,
arrest and remand demonstrators and do all the things that would go to break the back of lawful constitutional
expression.
That, would not lead to peace.
Over the years, the Daily Searchlight has grown to develop a healthy cynicism for the so-called National Peace
Council and what it does and stands for. That body seems to operate on the principle that shiny cassocks and multi-
coloured and colourful chieftaincy kente, smooth, soothing, melodic, calming voices are all that is necessary to
ensure peace. That body has never prioritized necessary blocks to peace, such as lawfulness, constitutionality,
respect for brotherliness and fellow feeling and consideration, at the centre of its mandate, but has always
maintained a strident position that there must be peace, beyond any and all considerations.
We believe that such as approach, whilst colourful to the camera, may eventually lead to the rot behind the façade
getting through to the front, with woeful consequences.
Yes, peace there must be, but at the same time, let us do the things that ensure real peace for all.
(Editorial of the Daily Searchlight of 25 th September, 2024).
