Increase Level of patriotism to sustain peace – NCCE

GNA – Mr Gomez Adongo, Regional Programmes Officer for the National Commission for Civic Education.

(NCCE), on Wednesday stated that the level of patriotism of Ghanaians should be sustained and this should help project developments.

Mr Adongo said this in response to some concerns raised by political representatives at a focus group engagement held in Bolgatanga for political party representatives, faith based organization, women and people with disability in connection with the 2016 general elections.

The meeting was to educate participants towards achieving a high voter turnout and ensure increased commitment and comportment from the citizenry during the 2016 elections.

He said some party faithful deliberately remained at polling stations after casting their votes purposely to foment troubles and added that such actions did not augur well for the country’s democracy.

Mr Adongo urged all Ghanaians to sustain the peace enjoyed in the country.

Mr Mawuli Agbenu, Programmes Officer, at the Bolgatanga Municipal office of the NCCE, in a presentation on “Concepts of Democracy towards Free and Fair Elections”, reiterated some of Ghana’s achievements in promoting free and fair elections.

He mentioned some indicators in place to include legal framework, election management, and transparency in polling, dispute resolution and voter registration.

Mr Agbenu noted that democracy was inclusive and therefore participation of all, irrespective of ethnicity was crucial, adding that the vulnerable, especially women, the aged, disabled, and pregnant women should not be prevented from voting.

Ms Mary Nyamekye Ankrah, Assistant Director at the NCCE, said the overwhelming ballot rejections experienced in past elections was a minus to the growing democracy and urged the participants to be true ambassadors’ of their parties and share the training received.

Ms Ankrah took the participants through voting procedures and prepared posters for distribution to the participants.

GNA