We must fortify our democracy through peaceful elections-NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) says Ghana must once again demonstrate its status as the beacon of democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa in the upcoming 2024 elections.'Ghana's track record of successful eight times Presidential and Parliamentary elections, characterised by four peaceful transitions of power, is a testament to our commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, rule of law and media freedom.'However, we must remain vigilant in the face of evolving threats that seek to undermine our democratic institutions and processes'.Ms Dorcas Atia, the Talensi District Director of the Commission said this at an Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) meeting held at Tongo.Phase two of the IPDC meeting, aimed at promoting peaceful elections, formed part of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism (PCVE) project funded by the European Union and being implemented by the NCCE.Ms Atia identified vote buying, mis/disinformation, ethnic and religious intolerance, and electoral v iolence as major factors that needed to be addressed to safeguard the electoral process of the country in the upcoming elections.'The practice of vote buying undermines the integrity of our electoral process, and we must work together to cultivate a political culture that prioritizes integrity over illicit financial gain', she added.The District Director said fake news perpetuated by misinformation and disinformation posed significant threats to the electoral process and called for collective resolve to address the challenge, to promote peace.'It is imperative that we develop strategies for fostering media literacy and creating robust channels for accurate information dissemination. We all share a responsibility to ensure that the narratives we promote hold true to the values of our democracy', she said.The District Director urged the stakeholders to work together to intensify education, to help prevent electoral violence, adding 'We must emphasize the importance of religious and ethnic tolerance, par ticularly at the district level.'Ghana is a tapestry of diverse cultures and beliefs, and it is imperative that we honour this rich diversity by promoting dialogue, understanding, and respect among all citizens. By fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and heard, we can fortify the very foundations of our democracy', she added.Assistant Superintendent of Police, Saeed Boachie Yiadom, the Talensi District Police Commander, urged the political parties to cultivate the spirit of tolerance to ensure that they conducted their campaigns with civility and avoid conflicts.Naab Mwarebilsong Naneeteng, the Chairman of the Talensi IPDC, urged the political parties to engage in issue-based politics in their campaign trail and avoid activities that had the tendency to cause mayhem and destabilise the peace the country was currently enjoying.Source: Ghana News Agency