Dr Jasper Abembia Ayelazuno a political scientist and head of the department of communication, innovation, and technology at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala campus has stressed the need for a peaceful election to promote investor confidence in the country.
According to him , investors always love to operate in a peaceful environment that would enhance the livelihoods of the indigents as well the economy of the country. This goes a long way to alleviate poverty that governments continue to battle to ensure the welfare of the citizens.
He noted that conflicts drive away investors thereby leaving the vulnerable to their fate with the politicians seeking refugee in some peaceful countries. Despite Ghana’s acclaimed image as a country noted for its credible and peaceful elections, we have had our own fair share of bloody electoral conflicts but never jeopardized lives and properties hence the need for us to use the judiciary as a place to address grievances instead of taking the law into one’s hands.
Mr Ayelazuno made the remarks after a Peace Float march in Tamale organised by the communication students association of Ghana (COMSAG),UDS, Nyankpala campus, in collaboration with the security services, various political parties as well as the media fraternity.
The march was to illustrate to Ghanaians of all political hues that it is possible and practicable to be partisan, yet united, tolerant, and peaceful and to highlight the contribution of COMSAG to peace and harmony before, during, and after the 2016 presidential/parliamentary elections.
The event also serves as a tool of communication, adopted by the students of the social change communication programme of UDS, Nyankpala campus, to sensitize Ghanaians to the dangers of dogmatic and uncritical loyalty to party and candidate; namely, bloody conflicts and the many tragic humanitarian crises they have caused across the world and in African countries in particular, Cote D’Ivoire and Kenya, for example.
“These young women and men of COMSAG support different parties or candidates contesting for one political office or the other of which most them will be voting for their parties and candidates in December including our women and men in uniform, serving in the Ghana hence the need for the tolerance,” he said.
He stated that: “you have the right to support your party and candidate the way you want, but do not use violence, spew hatred and animosity, but be tolerant of opposing views, treat supporters of other parties with love, magnanimity and grace”.
He reiterated that one’s life does not depend on a party or candidate but rather depends on your labour and what you do for a living. “Your life depends on your limbs, blood, and brain. Don’t hurt them because of this election.”
“Don’t hurt your neighbour because of the elections. If you are a farmer, teacher, fisherman, trader, driver, soldier, police officer, fire officer, prison officer, security guard, journalist or any other labourer, there is one thing I can predict will happen to you after the elections, you are still going to be laboring in all those jobs to take care of your family,” he said.
