The King and Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, Yagbonwura Biikunuto Jewu Soale (I) has called on political parties to use their platforms to inspire peace and not provoke conflict since the power the seek to win is not worth the blood of citizen nor the tears of a grieving mother.
Speaking at a Stakeholder meeting on peace and security in the Savannah Region on Saturday 30th November, 2024, at the Jakpa Palace, the Yagbonwura indicated that democracy is sustained by the election process which symbolizes the power of choice, the hope of progress and the strength of a united people.
Elections, however, according to the Yagbonwura also carries the potential to divide people not only in the communities but the national levels if calm heads and reasonable judgements are not allowed to take the center stage during elections.
He indicated further that Gonjaland has been blessed with long standing peace unity and resilience. ” From the days of our forefathers, peace has been the bedrock upon which we have built our communities, nurtured our children and sustained our livelihoods, still maintain that”; he appealed.
The King and Overlord of Gonja appealed to stakeholders in next Saturday’s kh..
lections to focus more in inspiring peace and not to provoke conflicts in the Gonja Kingdom.
He further called on political parties to focus on presenting their policies to voters rather than engaging in divisive or hateful speech as Ghana prepares for the December 7 general election.
Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto emphasised the importance of peace and urged all political actors to avoid actions or words that could lead to violence and called on all stakeholders to prioritise peace and the nation’s progress.
He further called on the Municipal and District Chief Executives in Savannah Region and the security in the region to exhibit very high dose of neutrality in the conduct of their duties before, during and after the 7th December polls with persons bent on causing mayhem properly dealt with by the law enforcement agencies.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Damongo Constituency, Hon Samuel Abu Jinapor on behalf of the NPP Parliamentary candidates in the region assured the overlord of maintaining peace and selling the message of the Yagbonwura to their supporters since the people of the Savannah Region are one people.
He referred to his opponent the Damongo NDC Parliamentary candidate as his Uncle from the same family who at all cost will remain his uncle despite their political differences.
Hon. Adam Mutawakilu, NDC Damongo Constituency candidate also on behalf of his parliamentary candidates in the Savannah Region pledged to maintain peace and also drum the message of the Yagbonwura to their supporters to maintain peace before, during and after the elections.
He said in 2020, he reached out to Hon. Abu Jinapor to congratulate him after he had lost the election and expect that who ever emerges victorious in the 7th December election should repeat same with the losing candidates since that will help promote peace in the Savannah Region.
The Muslim community in the region also added their voice in calling for peace ahead of the polls.
The Christian clergy were not also left out as they also preached for peace with a call on the youth not to be allowed to be used for violence by any politician in the Savannah Region.
Both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Savannah Regional chairmen assured the Yagbonwura about their commitment to peace as the country goes to the polls next week.
A peace pact put together by the Yagbonwura was signed by all stakeholders including the Yagbonwura himself to maintain peace before during and after the polls.
Source: nkilgifmonline.com
