The overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, Yaa Naa Abukari Andani II, has appealed to the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to initiate a dialogue platform with organisations, including the security agencies whose duties have a greater bearing on the maintenance of peace in the country.

The king, who said this during a courtesy call on him by the leadership of the Commission led by its Chairperson, Kathy Addy, at his palace in Yendi in the Northern Region, added that such organisations whose actions or inaction could destabilise the peace in the country, need to ensure that they carry out their mandate to the satisfaction of all the political parties.

"To realise your goals in this direction, I suggest that you engage not only the traditional leaders and youth groups but also dialogue with organisations whose duties have a greater bearing on the maintenance of peace in this country, especially the security forces," Yaa Naa Abukari Andani II stated.

He insisted that the current atmosphere in the country demands that, "organisations whose actions or inaction could destabilise the peace in this country include the Electoral Commission.

"We need to ensure that they carry out their mandate to the satisfaction of all parties. The duties of a referee are not easy and have to be carried out with the utmost care so as not to be seen as doing the bidding of the party in power."

He also encouraged the Commission to implement measures such as voter education, Inter-party dialogue, conflict resolution, and media sensitisation to help foster a culture of peace, respect, and civic responsibility necessary for a peaceful election.

The Chairperson of the NCCE, Madam Kathy Addy, on behalf of the Commission, commended the Overlord of Dagbon for his assurance and support for the Commission in executing its constitutional mandate.

"We [Commission] had a fruitful discussion with the King because his address captured all the sentiments we wanted to discuss with him [Yaa Naa Abukari II] about the peaceful election, citizenship, and the situation in society, including successful elections and having Ghana as one country after the election," she said.

Ms Addy said the Commission, on its part, briefed the King and his sub-chiefs on the Commission's efforts in educating citizens and major stakeholders across the country, which the Yaa Naa has assured them of his support and cooperation to carry out their constitutional mandate.