Zongo Communities signs pact to uphold peace during Election 2012

The Islamic Peace and Security Council in collaboration with Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), on Thursday signed an agreement to uphold peace in Zongo Communities during Election 2012.

The project dubbed: “Ensuring Violence Free Election in Zongo Communities in Greater Accra Region,” would train 220 men and 140 women election observers from the Zongo communities through the assistance of the National Commission on Civic Education and Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre to be supported by the Danish Embassy.

The move is aimed at sensitising the Zongo Communities to engage in violent free and decent election.

Dr Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, National Chief Imam, who spoke at the ceremony said, the issue of peace and security must always inter-relate before, during and after elections in Africa, adding, the situation should not be different in Ghana.

He said the project would create awareness among young men and women in the communities and avoid all forms of violence and fraudulent election practices before and during elections.

Dr Sharabutu said, politicians were known of taking advantage of the plight of the Zongo youth to use them to galvanise support and cause unrest during voting for financial reasons.

He encouraged Ghanaians to appreciate Allah's blessing to foster peace and unity to strengthen the country to move forward in development.

Mr Carsten Nilaus Pedersen, Danish Ambassador said, the relations between Ghana and Denmark dated back more than 350 years ago and was determined to consolidate and strengthen the ties.

He said exchanges between Danes and Ghanaians, Christians and Muslims would facilitate insight and understanding of each other to help argue against fear and challenges deriving from discrimination and intolerance of the two religions globally.

Mr Pedersen said the project would ensure that the Zongo communities had confidence in the electoral process and accept the election results.

He noted that issues that would unite the nation were the joint beliefs in the right of every human being to have a decent life on tolerance and freedom from violence.**