National Peace Council asked to act on voters' registration challenges

The Forum for Governance and Justice (FGJ), a pressure group, on Thursday urged the National Peace Council (NPC) to act immediately on the challenges being experienced during the biometric voters’ registration exercise.

A statement signed by Dr Clement A. Apaak, Convener, and Dr Samuel Buame, a leading member, FGJ, condemned “In the strongest terms” organisations and persons responsible for reported violent acts associated with the registration.

It said: “In stating our disquiet, we are inclined to question why the National Peace Council 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 called on the Council to live up to its core responsibilities and reminded the body that it was charged with the responsibility of raising awareness on the use of non-violent strategies in response to conflict through networking, coordination and campaigning.

The statement called on the security agencies, particularly, the Ghana 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.

It said: “As stated in the Constitution, ‘Every citizen of Ghana of 18 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.’”

The statement reminded political activists that without peace they would not have anyone to lead or 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,” it said.**