Presidential candidates have been urged to demonstrate leadership and encourage their supporters to maintain peace before the December elections.

They should also clearly state their commitment to fostering a peaceful environment before, during, and after the electoral process.

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences in the Vatican, made the call during a high-level forum in Accra.

The forum was on the theme “Advancing Peace, Unity, and National Cohesion in Ghana.”

It was organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance and the Civil Forum Institute.

Cardinal Turkson noted that Mr. John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress; Dr. Mohamadu Bawumia, the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party; and President Akufo-Addo had all visited the Pope in Rome.

He urged them to leverage their visits to the Pope to express their commitment to peace, free from any distractions, in the lead-up to the elections.

Cardinal Turkson stated that political parties do not choose the government; rather, it is the electorate that makes that decision.

He urged political parties to educate voters on the electoral process.

Cardinal Turkson also encouraged the public to reject all forms of violence and work together to ensure peaceful elections.

“Violence is an abstract concept, but it is people’s behaviours and character that manifest violence,” he said.

Cardinal Turkson emphasised the need for a clear and well-defined national vision to guide sustainable development in the country.

“Every social institution must serve humanity. It should be human-centred rather than reduced to servitude,” he stated.

Cardinal Turkson asserted that democracy should serve the citizens, uphold their dignity, and promote the common good.

“Our voting must reflect our freedom and choice of a party. Our leaders should demonstrate healthy conduct free from acrimony,” he added.

Cardinal Turkson also expressed concern about environmental degradation, calling for collective efforts to address this issue.

He suggested initiating dialogue to consider reviewing the constitution, particularly regarding the appointment of the Electoral Commission and judges, calling on independent institutions to be bold and neutral in fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities.

Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, a former UN Senior Governance Expert, urged African societies to consider how to adapt democratic practices to their unique realities.
He called for a review of the winner-takes-all system, stating that it fosters corruption and violence, particularly in the lead-up to elections.