The Office of the Ashanti Regional Chief Imam, in collaboration with the West African Forum on AIDS and Violence against Women and Children (WAFAVAWC) has launched a programme intended to educate and sensitise the youth in the Zongo communities to refrain from indulging in any form of violence before, during and after the 2012 general election. Launching the programme, the Executive Secretary at the Office of the Regional Chief Imam, Ustaz Ahmed Seidu noted: “we are working hard to prevent any ensuing violence and its repercussions on the community and the nation at large during the upcoming general elections”. He said initiating meaningful and preventive measures to address electoral violence always yielded fruitful results instead of taking reactionary measures to calm down tempers when casualties had already been recorded in electoral violence. The project, with the theme: “Enhancing democracy at the community base - the role of the Zongo community”, was sponsored by the British High Commission. Expressing concern about the rampant violence that takes place in Zongo communities during elections, Ustaz Seidu said “about 90 per cent of our youth are always recruited from these communities by politicians to commit crimes or acts of violence for petty sums of monies, risking their lives at the hands of the security agencies, who are compelled sometimes to shoot and kill at the spot, or maim recalcitrant culprits who resist arrest and try to engage them in life-threatening situations”. He pointed out that violence in elections took different forms such as the stealing of ballot boxes, destruction of political party property and office structures, billboards and posters, as well as assaulting political opponents at the least provocation. He said during erections, some of the youth were also induced to “take political opponents hostage or perpetrate other forms of cruel activities intended to intimidate and instill fear in political opponents who are challenging their choice of political candidates, or might be financing these acts of cruelty, in pursuit of a political ambition. “By successfully implementing this project within the six months, we would have educated and sensitised the youth, especially to stay away from and resist the temptation of falling prey to politicians, luring them to trade their future for petty sums of money to pursue acts of violence and intimidation on political opponents. This will make them remain responsible citizens with brighter future for themselves, families and nation at large”. In an address read on his behalf, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah said since the Zongo communities in the region played a significant role during and after every electioneering campaign, it was important to sensitise them “to appreciate the need for a peaceful campaign to avoid any unhealthy development that may tarnish the envious image of this country.” Explaining further, he noted “Ghana has earned a lot of credibility and respect by its democratic credentials which must at all cost, be maintained”.