The National Peace Council has asked security services, and the youth in the country to champion peace and harmony, before, during, and after the December 7 elections.

This is in the light of the 2024 commemoration of the International Day of Peace, which the Council marked in Accra, with a forum on the theme: “Cultivating a culture of peace.”

It was attended by officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, Police, Prisons, and Fire, students from Labone Senior High School, as well as representatives from the South African, United States of America and Denmark Embassies.

Speaking at the event, the Rev Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman, National Peace Council, stated that peace was necessary for progress and wellbeing of societies, as such all actors must play a role to make the 2024 elections successful.

He noted that elections were often characterised by tensions and potential conflicts, but encouraged that all actors embraced the values of dialogue, tolerance, unity and love for the country.

“Let us ensure that our actions before, during, and after the elections reflect the culture of peace we’re committed to cultivating. Peace must be cultivated daily, and not just during election periods,” he said.

Rev Dr Adu-Gyamfi pledged the Peace Council’s commitment in ensuring that the 2024 elections were conducted in an atmosphere of peace, transparency, openness, and accountability, including helping resolve the issue of voter registration audit.

Air Commodore David Anetey Akrong, Deputy Commandant, KAIPTC, noted that peace was valuable, and called for the cultivation of an attitude that would lead to a violent free election.

He noted that credible elections depended highly on inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability through collaboration, urging the security agencies in particular to play their roles well.

Air Commodore Akrong noted that the 2024 elections would not be devoid of the threats of disinformation, misinformation, hate speech, sensational media reportage, and activities of political party vigilante groups.

“These trends have the tendency to impact on the electoral integrity, peace and security of the country… all players must ensure a fair playing field to all actors involved to avoid any disturbances, before, during, and after the elections,” he said.

Mr Charles Abani, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Ghana, acknowledged Ghana’s steadfast commitment to peace amid global tensions, urging, particularly the youth, to guard the peace of the country.

He stated that peace was not a static condition, but an active pursuit and a deliberate process that required a strategic construction and nurturing of the social, political, and economic frameworks that promoted harmony, justice and coexistence.

Mr Abani stated that Ghana stood proud as a beacon of peace and stability in West Africa, with a remarkable history of democratic governance and peaceful transitions of power, but noted that in the upcoming elections, “complacency is just not an option.”

He urged all actors to take district and regional level actions seriously, including bringing on board traditional and religious bodies as well as the marginalised at all times for peace.

The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981 to promote peace, nonviolence, and cease-fire worldwide, and observed annually on September 21.

The Day is a call to action for individuals, organisations, and governments to work towards achieving peace and resolving conflicts through nonviolent means.