Tema Metro IPDC Commences Peace Education in SHSs.

Tema: The Tema Metropolitan Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), in collaboration with the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), has begun a series of peace education sessions in Senior High Schools (SHSs) within the Tema metropolis.According to Ghana News Agency, the week-long sensitisation programme involves IPDC members engaging students on topics such as peace, the electoral process, crime, religious tolerance, and the impact of misinformation and fake news on national peace. The initiative covers schools in the Tema East and Tema Central Constituencies, including Tema Methodist Day SHS, Presbyterian SHS, Tema Technical Institute, Our Lady of Mercy SHS, Tema Industrial Mission, Chemu SHS, and Manhean Secondary Technical School.Madam Gifty Agyeiwaa Badu, the Tema Metro NCCE Director, addressed students at Tema Methodist Day SHS, highlighting Article 1 clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which allocates the country's sovereignty to its citizens. She emphasized that citizens delegate t heir powers to elected representatives through elections. Despite this constitutional framework, Madam Badu noted that some individuals exploit the electoral process for violence, prompting the NCCE to establish the IPDC, which includes representatives from religious organizations, political parties, and other stakeholders in all 276 constituencies.Reverend Francis Tetteh Guggisberg, the Tema Metro IPDC Chairperson, urged the youth to critically assess and verify media information before acting on it. He warned against unverified social media content, stressing, "Don't just share what you see on social media; doing so can lead to causing fear." Reverend Guggisberg reminded students that some media outlets, especially those affiliated with politicians, might spread misleading content to incite violence or for financial gain.Nana Ogyedum Ama Tsetsewa I, the Tema Metro IPDC Vice-Chair, shared her harrowing experience during the Liberian civil war, emphasizing the importance of peace over monetary gain in pol itical contexts. She advised the youth to avoid violent activities and heated political and religious arguments, stressing the importance of initiating peace from home.Sheikh Ali Adam, aide to the Tema Metro Chief Imam, Alhaji Adam Abubakah, reiterated the unity among Ghanaians, regardless of political differences. He emphasized that all humans share a common ancestry and should not resort to violence during elections. Sheikh Adam called for peace to be the primary focus for Ghanaians, urging unity despite differing political ideologies.