Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante, Chairman, National Peace Council, has said exclusion from the political process and ethnocentrism ought to be a concern for all if peace is to be sustained in the country.
He said this ‘winner takes all’ mentality in our society has led to the ingrained desire by various political stakeholders to win ‘at all costs’ and thereby heightening the tensions during electoral campaign seasons.
Speaking at the Valley View University’s inaugural Peace Public Lecture series, Most Reverend Professor Asante said the country needs transformational leaders to halt the over politicisation of government decisions.
The Lecture, held on the topic: “Enhancing peace before, during and after elections: the role of the religious community in Ghana”, he said such leaders are also needed to forestall the blatant display of unprofessionalism by some heads of national institutions.
Most Reverend Professor Asante said there is the need for a review of the political system to reflect the advantages of proportional representation.
He said for peace to be attained during our electoral cycles, the high rate of poverty, illiteracy and the weakness of our electoral regulatory system need to be addressed.
Most Reverend Professor Asante added, “the quest for peace and security is an ongoing agenda the human community” but in our society, the abuse of certain rights as a result of our freedom of expression needs to be checked.
Dr Mohsen Maarefi, the President of the Islamic University College, and the Chairman for the occasion, also insisted that faith based institutions have a role to play in sustaining the peace of a country.
He said religious groups are often the majority in all electoral processes hence the need for their leaders to serve as useful models in ensuring peace.
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