Ghanaian women asked to join campaign for violence-free elections

Odumase (B/A), Sept. 3, GNA - Ghanaian women have been cautioned against allowing politicians to influenced them with money, instead they join the campaign for violence-free elections in December. Mr. Francis Owusu-Ansah, Director of Operations and Finance of Africa Media Aid (AFRIMA), who gave the warning, observed that because women and children were vulnerable, they suffered most during conflicts and violence. He was addressing the women's group of Calvary Assemblies of God Church on Wednesday at Odumase, capital town of Sunyani West District. Lovelace Eyram Kpogo, Programme Officer, Gender and Children's Development Unit of AFRIMA, said that "Ghanaian Women for Peace Campaign" initiated by AFRIMA, targeted women because politicians were their husbands, fathers, brothers and children." The Programme Office said AFRIMA would sensitise more than 40 women's groups in the northern sector of the country on the essence of peaceful polls, before the elections in December and appealed to all peace loving Ghanaians to support the campaign. Mr. Michael Yeboah Boateng, Communication Director of AFRIMA, appealed to women to educate their relatives involved in politics on the need to avoid provocative words during the campaign to Election 2008. He expressed concern about the use of abusive words by some politicians through the Media, especially during phone-in programmes on radio stations. Mr. Boateng accused some media outlets of creating political tension in the country, saying Ghanaians were not ready for any unpleasant political situation. He also urged journalists to avoid sensationalism and rather address issues that would promote unity and development. Rev. Emmanuel Twum, Pastor-In-Charge of Church, expressed gratitude to AFRIMA for starting the campaign and asked the clergy to avoid partisan politics, especially in Church since that could divide members.