Two civic society organizations in the northern region are determined to make this year’s general elections problem-free. To this end, the groups, NORSAAC and CALID, beneficiaries of STAR-Ghana have launched eight month-long projects in Tamale worth 70,000 dollars with the expressed goal of helping to usher in a violence-free, inclusive and transparent elections in November.
The projects are: Strengthening Community-led initiatives for Peaceful and Credible Elections (SCOPE) and the Peaceful and Credible Elections (PEACE). The two projects will focus on quality voting and violence-free elections in 2016 with the expressed goal of supporting the work of the regional and district election security task forces.
Some state agencies and a section of the media are chipping in to make the projects successful and these include the Electoral Commission (EC),the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), the National Youth Authority (NYA) and the Ghana Police Service.
Eight districts in the northern region, Bunkpurugu, Central Gonja, Gushegu, Tolon, Nanumba north, West Mamprusi, Yendi Municipality and the Tamale metropolis will be the centers of the projects which are designed to reach 312 community thumb printing clinic facilitators, 12,480 voters on rightful thumb printing and voter education, 78 community election peace teams, various district election security taskforces, 700 youth activists, 500 traditional and religious leaders and 80 community peace communities .
The projects seek to enhance peace and security before, during and after elections and to increase civic awareness, confidence and inclusiveness in the electoral process. Addressing stakeholders at the forum, the executive director of CALID Mr Mohammed Awal Bapio Sumani stated categorically that the goal of the projects is enhance peaceful, democratic and credible elections through increased voting rights and youth confidence in the registration and voting process in four districts.
The executive director of NORSAAC, Mr Alhassan Mohammed Awal, in his speech emphasized that elections in Ghana have always been characterized by tension with prayer camps springing up in all corners of the country just to ensure violence free and peaceful elections.
“Why do we have to go through this process just to lead,” he quizzed. Professor Agnes Apusigah, Steering Committee Member of STAR-Ghana said STAR-Ghana will provide a comprehensive, coordinated and strategic push to enable citizens hold leaders accountable.
Speaking on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abdalla Abubakar, the district chief executive of Saganari urged citizens and various political parties to be ambassadors of peace during, before and after the elections.
Chief Inspector Emmanuel K. Aheto who represented the northern regional police command assured stakeholders of a peaceful election and cautioned the public not to get involved in any criminal act during the elections.
By;Lilian D. Walter/zaaradio.com