The government outlines measures to prevent electoral disputes
as leading politicians and interest groups continue to call for peace in the run
up to the 2012 elections.
Longstanding pressure on both main political parties to ratchet
down the election rhetoric and eschew violence is beginning to have some effect.
The main protagonists are, however, still far from making the necessary public
commitments on banning hate speech and condemning violence that is necessary.
There is a large measure of hypocrisy from both sides on the issue and the need
for a more assertive stance from neutral civil society organisations.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC)
government has reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful elections after various
incidents of violence and corruption during the recently completed biometric
voter registration exercise prompted widespread criticism of the ruling party as
well as the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Attorney General and Minister
of Justice Benjamin Kumbuor told local reporters that the
government is implementing measures to prevent electoral disputes including
fresh training for the security agencies.
Observers are continuing to express concern about violent
rhetoric used by politicians in the run up to December's general election.
The Ghana for Peace movement, for example, which is a
non-partisan youth group with a country-wide membership, has begun a nationwide
peace tour calling for young people to reject violence in the run up to the
December general elections.
The Coalition of Muslim Organisations - Ghana
(COMOG) has said that the biometric registration exercise had been characterised
by provocative confrontations, reckless statements, and advocacy for lawlessness
along tribal lines by a cross section of self-seeking politicians who should
know better.
During a dialogue between the eastern regional police command
and political party representatives in Koforidua, the latter said that
developments during the biometric voter registration campaign had highlighted a
number of concerns, including the need for the police to be fair and firm to all
irrespective of their political beliefs.
For more news and expert analysis about Ghana, please see Ghana
Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates
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