Accra, Oct. 25, GNA - The electorate of Odododiodioo, especially those of Old Fadama and Agbogbloshie, have been urged to exercise restraint and to tolerate each other as Election 2008 got closer. Mr Jonathan Nii Tackie-Komme, Member of Parliament (MP), for Odododiodioo, who made the call in an interview with GNA in Accra on Saturday, said that patience and tolerance were very important with the intensification of political activities by the parties to enable them to clinch power on December 7.

Commenting on the recent political violence at the Agbogbloshie in Accra, he called on the supporters of both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to "Bury the hatchet and smoke the peace pipe" to ensure the deepening of the democratic culture in the country.

"Political violence between supporters of different parties is not necessary since politics is about issues" adding "Politics should not divide us but should rather unite us since all political parties are working for the good of Ghana".

Mr Tackie-Komme stressed the need for peace and tolerance before, during and after the election for the country to avoid the type of conflict that engulfed other some African nations after elections. Mr. Daniel Okai, NDC Constituency Chairman, stressed the importance of confidence and peace building efforts by the leadership of the various political parties for their supporters and members to follow.

He said that there were plans by the leadership of the NDC and NPP in the area to initiate a joint programme to promote peace and tolerance in the area.

Mr Okai said this was part of a "Peace initiative" by the executives of the two parties at a meeting in the office of the James Town District Police Commander, in Accra on Friday. Mr T Y Creech-Jones, NPP Constituency Chairman, also described the violence as unfortunate saying, "Both parties should call for a meeting to talk to their members that election is not about fighting". "Political power is not permanent and can change at anytime and so there is the need for patience", the NPP Chairman said and added that, "We will always urge our supporters to exercise restraint but our opponents should not be provocative".

The two parties agreed to do their own "Internal peace building first and after that meet as a group to talk to our people" in the presence of the District Police Command, Mr Okai said.