Political parties asked to re-orientate their activists

Kumasi, March 12, GNA - Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on political parties to re-orientate their youth activists to appreciate their role in the responsible organisation of their parties that fits into a democratic culture.

He indicated that a glance through the 1992 constitution points to the fact that the entire provisions are geared towards ensuring harmony, unity and peace among the people with the ultimate objective of stability and development.

This was contained in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Joe Dasana, Deputy Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director at the opening of a constituency workshop for 40 political party youth activists from Manhyia, Asokwa East and West in Kumasi on Friday.

The two-day workshop was on the theme: "Developing Political Party Youth Activists for a Violent-Free Multi-Party Political Environment". It was organised by the National Commission for civic Education (NCCE) and sponsored by Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES).

Mr Boafo said everything in the constitution points to the adherence to and observance of democratic principles and practices which, when scrupulously applied, will provide the ideal condition for peaceful and harmonious co-existence.

"Much as human beings are gregarious, we are different in character from each other. It is our ability to cope with one another's differences that we are able to live together in harmony as a society. This is democracy, hence democracy abhors what naturally pollutes democratic environment", he added.

Miss Doris Ocansey, Deputy Chairman, Finance and Administration of the NCCE, said though political parties have different views on how they plan to administer the country, the diversity of ideas should be blended into a rich unifying factor for development.

She called on the participants to abide by common principles that would enhance the quality of a constitutional democracy with the sole aim of consolidating the concept of good governance in the country. Miss Ocansey urged them to re-affirm their commitment to a peaceful election by pledging that they were not going to exploit their ignorant brothers and lead them to engage in "unnecessary conflicts".

"As youth leaders, you should become agents of change. Change that will make political party activists pleasurable for majority of our people so that all can participate meaningfully in the democratic process", she said.

Mr Edward Briku Boadu, Senior Programme Co-ordinator of the FES, told the participants that there was the need for them to understand that all the political parties have a common theme which they as activists must uphold.

He said as the nation prepares for the electioneering campaign, it is mandatory that they maintain the relative peace in the country. Mr Kusi Aboraah, Ashanti Regional Director of the NCCE, said the workshop was part of pilot public education activities and workshops being organised by the NCCE in selected regions.

The other regions, he said were Greater Accra, Western, Volta and Upper East, stressing that Ashanti region has been included because the region is an arena for serious politicking during an election year and sometimes creating unnecessary tension.

Mr Aboraah noted that the youth constitutes the greater part of the active membership of most political parties and there was therefore the need to educate them to tolerate opinions of activists on the other political divide.