The United Nations (UN) office in Ghana, in collaboration with the National Peace Council (NPC), is set to roll out a project dubbed: ‘I Pledge for Peace Campaign’, ahead of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections in December. The initiative aims to reinforce the principles of peace within and among all Ghanaians before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
The campaign will actively engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including individuals, communities, civil society organizations, state entities, religious leaders and youth groups with an overarching goal of fostering a culture of peace, advocating for peaceful elections, and promoting tolerance and peaceful co-existence before, during and after the electoral process.
Resident Coordinator, UN Office Ghana, Charles Abani, highlighted that elections represent a key moment for citizens to use their voting power to reflect, choose and select leaders to act for their country and the future. However, this requires an atmosphere free of hostility, the introduction of the campaign.
“This can only be possible when there is peace and stability, freedom, tolerance and respect for one another. Elections are not a period of combat and the unhealthy exchange of views or divisive language. We want to use this campaign to urge stakeholders to publicly commit to peace and by extension, a peaceful election. We believe that the positive actions of stakeholders, through social media and other channels, will encourage tolerance and discourage misinformation,” he said.
The campaign will encourage individuals and organizations to make public pledges for peace, amplifying the message through various communication channels, including social media. The aim is to create a collective commitment to a peaceful electoral environment. These pledges will be shared on all the UN in Ghana and National Peace Council social media platforms.
Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, underscored the importance of individual contributions to achieving peace, adding that until every life is respected, and properties protected, achieving peaceful co-existence remains a distant goal.
“We all, as individuals, need to spread messages that encourage peace because its very existence begins with us, for all we have is one Ghana. The National Peace Council will do everything in its power to support this campaign and ensure a peaceful election come December 2024,” he assured.
The ‘I Pledge for Peace Campaign’ reflects a collaborative effort between the United Nations, the National Peace Council and various stakeholders to create a peaceful and inclusive electoral process.
Ghana’s democracy remains a beacon of hope for the continent. The UN continues to support the country in fostering its development agenda in a peaceful atmosphere and upholding its reputation as a regional leader in democratic governance. “Join the UN Team in Ghana and key stakeholders and pledge for peace,” the working team advocated.
