The National Peace Council has engaged stakeholders and the media in the Volta Region to emphasise the need to maintain peace before, during, and after the 2024 general elections.

This was under the theme "Building Trust for Peaceful Elections."

The regional Chairman of the Council, Rev. Seth Mawutor, expressed his encouragement at seeing the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the Peace Council once again unite to facilitate discussions ahead of the general elections in 2024.

He emphasised that while Ghanaians currently enjoy peace, it is vital to promote it. Rev. Mawutor assured Ghanaians that the National Peace Council remains committed to fulfilling its mandate of facilitating and developing mechanisms for conflict prevention, management, and resolution.

He stated that in preparation for the 2024 general elections, the Peace Council is collaborating with UNOWAS to conduct peace dialogues in five strategic locations across Ghana: Ho, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Accra, and Tamale.

Successful dialogues have already been held in Cape Coast. These initiatives aim to foster non-violent approaches to conflict resolution, enhance public awareness about the risks of electoral violence, and build trust among key stakeholders.

He urged all parties, institutions, and citizens to resolve conflicts through non-violent means. Rev. Mawutor highlighted that while democracy is fundamental, disagreements are inevitable. How these disagreements are addressed will determine whether Ghana builds a peaceful and prosperous nation or one divided by violence and mistrust.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to West Africa and the Sahel, H.E. SRSG Mr. Leonardo Santos Simao, commended the National Peace Council for its excellent collaboration and enduring partnership with the United Nations in a common desire to see peaceful elections in Ghana. Looking forward to supporting the Council in organising the final forum in Accra, he reiterated his commendation for the unwavering efforts of the Council's leadership and staff, whose contributions to building peace across the country cannot be overstated.

As anticipated in previous forums, this year's elections will again test the strength of Ghana's thirty-year-old democratic process, particularly as they occur in an environment marked by internal and regional security challenges, misinformation and disinformation that spread rapidly on social media, the erosion of political enthusiasm among the youth, socioeconomic hardships, and a rise in inflammatory statements and hate speech. These factors are potential triggers for disruptions during electoral activities that must be addressed, he stated.

H.E. Leonardo noted that although the Volta Region is not considered a high-security risk area, vigilance is necessary regarding issues that could easily spark violence, such as socioeconomic hardship and toxic campaign rhetoric. Therefore, this important forum is timely, providing an opportunity to discuss the fundamental issues underpinning peaceful and credible elections. These include participation and inclusivity, especially for marginalised groups like women, the youth, and individuals with disabilities.

He emphasised that women, youth, and persons with disabilities occupy positions in society that warrant particular attention. It is his plea that the discussions recognise the importance of women's involvement in politics, the merits of including the youth, and ensuring that the voices of individuals with disabilities are heard.