The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Kpando Municipality held a dialogue for parliamentary candidates in the constituency.

The highly patronised platform was attended by candidates for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Independent Candidate.

Speaking at the event, the Kpando Municipal Director of NCCE, Richard Asilevi appealed to political parties to prioritize peace during their campaigns as Ghana approaches the 2024 general elections.

He emphasised the importance of safeguarding Ghana's longstanding peace and stability and cautioned that posterity would judge the nation harshly if it failed to preserve the harmony that has been a hallmark of Ghanaian society.

"Before the advent of Western democracy, our traditional leaders ruled with peace and unity at the core of governance. The democratic system we adopted was meant to complement this foundation, not to disrupt it. It is imperative that we remain true to these values during and beyond the 2024 elections,” Mr Asilevi said.

A member of the Commission, Bright Kobla Agbodeka, urged residents to live in unity and harmony, reminding them of the unique identity Ghana holds as a peaceful nation in the West African sub-region.

"Ghana is our only home. We must protect it by maintaining peace in our interactions and relationships. Unity and harmony are the bedrock of our progress,” Mr Agbodeka added.

Mr Agbodeka highlighted the crucial role citizens and the media play in preserving national peace. He encouraged the candidates to use their platforms to promote messages of peace and non-violence.

"The media must act as custodians of peace, ensuring their reports foster understanding and tolerance. Kind words and constructive dialogue can protect the stability we are known for in the subregion,” Mr Agbodeka said.

Traditional leaders present at the meeting reinforced the importance of peace, urging political parties and citizens to emulate Ghana's history of non-violent elections.

Chiefs in the Kpando municipality called for mutual respect and tolerance, emphasising their commitment to ensuring their communities remain havens of peace.

In a significant move, representatives of the various political parties in the municipality pledged to conduct their campaigns peacefully and to discourage their followers from engaging in acts of violence or provocation.

They assured the NCCE and residents of their resolve to prioritize the unity and stability of Ghana above partisan interests.

The Parliamentary Dialogue forms part of a nationwide initiative by the NCCE to promote issue-based campaigns to ensure peaceful elections. With political tensions often high during election seasons, such efforts aim to remind all stakeholders of their collective responsibility to uphold Ghana’s democracy and peace.

The Candidates, Antionette Oklo, NPP, Sebastian Dey, NDC, and Samuel Kojo Sika, Independent, took turns sharing ideas on a research report on matters of concern to the Ghanaian voter.

The areas included education, employment, health, road infrastructure, economy and agriculture. At the end of the day, the candidates pledged to ensure peace before, during, and after the elections.