NGO Encourages Civil Discourse Ahead of December 7 Elections.

Tumu: Mr. Sule Dintie, the Executive Director of SAVE Ghana, a non-government organisation, has urged media professionals and political party communicators to maintain civility in their discourse to ensure peace before, during, and after the upcoming December 7 elections. He made this appeal during a roundtable discussion held in Tumu, aimed at fostering a peaceful electoral process under the initiative 'Strengthening Dialogue and Peace Committee for Change' by Star Ghana.According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Dintie highlighted the role of radio show moderators in ensuring that all citizens' voices are heard and respected. He stressed the importance of maintaining the peace that has been achieved through previous efforts, pointing out that radio segments have the potential to incite violence if not carefully managed. The Executive Director also announced plans to monitor social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, as well as radio conversations, to identify and publicly call out individuals using inappr opriate language, thereby promoting responsible communication.Mr. Dintie expressed concern over the fact that a significant portion of social media posts, approximately 80 percent, are generated by political party activists and their followers, contributing to a charged political atmosphere. He cautioned against allowing this trend to continue, advocating for politics to be conducted without inciting passion and descending into violence.Mr. Bawa Peter Bawie, the Sissala East Communication Officer of the NDC, acknowledged the heightened political atmosphere as the elections approach. He emphasized the importance of engaging with political leaders directly to maintain peace and refuted claims that the NDC habitually insults NPP members, citing a lack of evidence to support such accusations. He also committed to organizing a meeting with the NDC social media team to promote the use of decent language and incorporate peace messages into their radio programs.Similarly, Mr. Osman Quanda Mohammed, a Communicat ion Officer of the NPP, highlighted the familial relationship between the NPP and NDC parliamentary candidates as a symbol of peace. He identified name-calling as a significant source of tension and urged radio stations to ensure that their programs are well-moderated, with immediate retractions for any foul language used during broadcasts.Rev Julius A. Danbo, a member of the Peace Committee of the Local Council of Churches, reiterated the importance of actions that lead to peace and mutual edification. He called on radio station moderators to prioritize peace in all their activities. Adding to the call for peace, Madam Alima Issa, the Queen Mother of Tumu, appealed for mutual respect and the avoidance of insults throughout the election period.In support of these initiatives, several radio presenters and managers pledged to professionally moderate talk and political shows, thereby contributing to the promotion of peace during the electoral process.