The National Peace Council (NPC) is appealing to political party leaders to refrain from resorting to violence in the upcoming general elections.

The Council expects the various political parties to support the government's efforts to maintain peace and security before, during and after the elections.

Speaking to JoyNews at a 'Trust-building Workshop' in the Ashanti Region, the Regional Chairman of the Peace Council, Rev. Nuh Ben Abubekr implored political parties to respect and value the lives of voters.

“Non-violence is a powerful weapon that must be well utilized in our country. If our country is to progress as peacefully as we want, we must respect the foundation of our humanity and accept the fact that dialogue through consensus in our diversity is the only hope,” he said on March 7, 2024.

“We shouldn’t be quick to resort to violence and chaotic behaviour whenever tensions arise, bearing in mind that nowadays the use of dialogues for negotiations of all human needs has proven to be effective in the settlement of our misunderstandings.”

In addition to Rev. Abubekr's message, a former Inspector General of Police, Owusu Mpianim, urged political parties to accept the outcome of the election, regardless of who wins.

He warned the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Mahama to avoid engaging in any activities that could incite violence during the upcoming elections.

According to him, it is important to maintain a peaceful political atmosphere and urged both candidates to prioritize the safety and well-being of Ghanaians

“Let me emphasize that is it unnecessary to use violence to achieve leadership recognition. If you are a good leader, the whole world will know, the electorates will know and you need not soil your hands in any form of violence,” he said.