The Light Foundation, an interfaith-based organisation in Accra, has added its voice to the call for the elections to be free from violence.

With just seven days to go until the 2024 general elections, the organisation deemed it necessary to join forces to ensure a peaceful election before, during, and long after the polls.

In pursuit of this goal, the organisation launched a "Religious Sermon Guide on Peace" on Friday, November 29. This initiative aims to bring together leaders from both Islamic and Christian religions to urge their followers to engage in actions that will not jeopardise the election.

At the event held at the foundation’s office in Ogbodjo, Accra, Imams, Pastors, and traditional leaders agreed to support the Sermon Guide and pledged to play their part in ensuring that the election is free from violence.

Speaking at the event, Rev Seth John Aquaye, who is also a Board Member of the Foundation, urged his fellow religious leaders to preach scriptures that promote peace in these crucial moments before the polls.

“Religious leaders have both the calling and the obligation to ensure and sustain peace everywhere, including in our nation. There should be appropriate and responsible use of scriptures, whether the Bible or the Quran,” he said.

He also urged the various candidates contesting in the race to accept the outcome of the election as “a special privilege to serve God, mankind, and the nation Ghana, and to honour God. Anything short of this leads to acrimony, corruption, and injustice, which does not augur well for national development and peace.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation, Sheikh, Ali Abubakr Napari, on his part, urged all actors in the polls to prioritise the peace of the nation and avoid actions that could lead to violence and destabilise the country.

He also stated, “Let us be mindful that we need a peaceful and united Ghana to either reset or upgrade. The people of Ghana deserve nothing less than peace and stability, and that must be the ultimate outcome of this year’s election. It will take all of us to achieve that.”

Sheikh Ali, who is the Imam of the Dza Ayor Central Mosque near East Legon, also said, “Let us not fail our country. No one should disturb the peace we are currently enjoying as a nation.”

Robertson Nii Torgbor, who represented the Ogbodjo Mantse at the ceremony, also reiterated the importance of adhering to actions that will promote peace rather than violence.

He praised The Light Foundation’s initiative, urging both Christians and Muslims to listen to the sermons their leaders will deliver, as these messages are crucial for ensuring peace in the electoral process.

“What is preached in the mosque will be the same message preached in the chapel. If we all listen and adhere to it, there will be utmost peace,” he said.

The traditional ruler also reminded Ghanaians of how some neighbouring countries are struggling with peace and stability, emphasising that peace is necessary to protect the country.

The Light Foundation (TLF) was established in 2005 by Sheikh, Ali Abubakr Napari to bring together Christians and Muslims to work on empowering vulnerable members of society and to strengthen their faith in the divine spirit.

Over the years, TLF has initiated several efforts to make the country a better place. Notable initiatives include their interfaith and peaceful coexistence campaign during the 2016 elections, road safety awareness programmes, water and sanitation initiatives, and various efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also carried out campaigns in 2020 to encourage people to participate in the housing and population census.

The ceremony was on the theme "Promoting Peace and Unity Through Faith and Dialogue".