The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has dismissed accusations by the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that it has been indifferent to issues threatening the peace of the upcoming elections.

Rev. Father Michael Quaicoe, Director of Governance, Justice, and Peace for the Conference, responded to Asiedu Nketia's claims, stating that the criticism is unjustified.

He stated that the GCBC, along with the National Peace Council, has been actively working to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings across the political landscape.

“Anyone who pays attention to the political landscape and the works of those in charge of peace-building will know that the Peace Council and the Conference have been working around the clock throughout the year in building peace and especially in helping resolve conflicts and misunderstandings,” Rev. Father Quaicoe said.

The NDC National Chairman has declared that the party will not be signing any peace declaration as the country approaches the upcoming election.

He told Joy News’ PM Express, that he expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of such agreements, citing past experiences.

Read also: NDC won’t sign peace declaration ahead of election, says Asiedu Nketia

He argued that just because the GCBC has not made certain public pronouncements does not mean that work is not being done behind the scenes.

Mr Asiedu Nketia, affectionately known as General Mosquito, pointed out that despite the involvement of bodies like the Council of State and the Peace Council in previous peace declarations, the 2020 election was still marred by violence.

“Signing or not signing is not the issue. What we need to address are the building blocks that lead to violence,” he insisted.

But Rev. Father Quaicoe says the comment is unfair to the Clergy and others working to main peace for peaceful co-existence.

“The church has no business other than working for the peace, development, and stability of the country. To achieve this, we employ all the other strategies that we think might help,” he added.

Rev. Father Quaicoe also mentioned that the Conference's president had publicly criticised Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong for his comments about the ruling NPP using all means necessary to retain power.

He reiterated that the GCBC is not silent on such matters and is actively addressing them both publicly and privately.

Regarding the six conditions set by the NDC before signing any peace pact, Rev. Father Quaicoe acknowledged that these are "issues of national interest" that deserve attention.

“Even if they were not made by the NDC, they would be issues that we would have to pay attention to. When there is injury, we need to find ways of making sure that there is justice, when there are accusations of systemic failures, we need to work towards rectifying them.

“For me, they are issues that need paying attention to but it should not be seen as one party is the guilty party and the other is without fault,” he said.

He stressed the importance of addressing grievances impartially.

“When there are grievances, we will listen and pay attention, and if it shows one is a victim, we will ensure that the report and its recommendation about the issues will be followed,” he stated.

About the Techiman incident, where eight people were shot and killed in the 2020 election, he called for the implementation of the recommendations from the inquiry report into the matter, underscoring the need for justice and reconciliation.

“I don’t think it is always helpful to engage in who must be acknowledged as a victim but when we sit at a table, we should see ourselves as sisters and brothers of this same country that we have.

“When there are grievances, we will listen and pay attention and if it shows one is a victim, we will ensure that the report and its recommendation about the issues will be followed,” he said.