President of World Without War lauds Ghana's democratic credentials

Accra, July 23, GNA - Mr Tony Robinson, International Relations Director of World Without War, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has called on organised labour and civil society groups to lobby Parliament and the Executive to ratify treaties that would protect the people from violence.

Mr Robinson made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief Justice, in Accra on Tuesday. World Without War has a primary concern of creating awareness on non-violence and aggression treaties signed among nations. Mr Robinson said about 1.5 trillion dollars are spent by western states in research and production of arms and nuclear weapons to the detriment of poor African, Asian and Latin American countries. He stated that those countries just needed 10 per cent of the amount to stimulate their economies.

Mr Robinson said he chose to visit Ghana because the country was seen in the eyes of the world as a role model in democracy in Africa because of her peaceful transition of power. Mr Robinson who is also the Special Co-ordinator of the NGO for Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany explained that on April 11 1996 in Pellinalava , 28 out of 54 African countries were required to sign a treaty to enforce an order to pursue nuclear-free zone at the United Nations.

"So far we have been able to lobby 27 countries to endorse it with only one country left to achieve the aim. Although Ghana is not yet a signatory to the accord we are here to solicit her support," he added. Receiving Mr Robinson on behalf of the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Jones Dotse, Justice of the High Court, expressed appreciation to the group for pursuing such a course for the safety of humanity. He said human rights and dispensation of justice should be the hallmark of the NGO to ensure peace in Africa and the world as a whole. Dr Ben Annan, member of the National Executive branch of the NGO said the organisation would raise awareness on non- proliferation of weapons, end of wars and violence through a march that would be launched in New Zealand on October 2, which would end on Andes Mountains in Argentina on January 2, 2010.

He said the march, would coincide with the UN Day of non-violence. Dr Annan said the event would be climaxed by social gatherings in more than 100 countries on the six continents where marches, festivals, exhibitions, concerts and forums would take place. While in the country, Mr Robinson also paid courtesy calls on institutions like the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Peace Council. He has since left for Kenya.