New Voters' Register: Exercise restraint; don't resort to guns- Small Arms Commission

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has urged the public, especially political parties to exercise restraint and not resort to the use intemperate language that inflame passion and eventually lead to the use of guns and for that matter violence before, during and after the voter registration exercise.
This comes after the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on Thursday June 25, 2020, to allow the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) to go ahead with the compilation of a new voters’ register, which has commenced today, June 30th 2020.
In a press statement signed by the Board Chairman of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong Manso, the Commission noted that after Supreme Court’s ruling, individuals and groups have spoken publicly, expressing divergent views on the ruling whiles identifiable groups, including political parties have also taken strong positions on the ruling.
The Commission, however, advised that the clouds and storms that raged before the decision of the Supreme Court has to be buried.
“As a people we have weathered these kinds of storms before in the 4th Republic because we have remained faithful to the ideals of this country which is Freedom and Justice and this should not be any different,” the Commission stated.
The Commission opined that in a democratic dispensation, differences in opinions and divergent views are core pillars, explaining therefore that,”Our diversity in opinion should not challenge the peace and security of our country.”
“Our divergence and differing opinions should also not lead the country into conflict, abuse and misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons with its attendant disastrous consequences, especially in communities known to be election hotspots where armed conflict is easily triggered,” The commission stated.
“The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons therefore urges the key Actors, especially the political parties to exercise restraint and not resort to the use intemperate language that inflame passion and eventually lead to the use of guns and for that matter violence before, during and after the voter registration exercise,” the Commission added.
It also suggested that as a young democracy, Ghanaians should emphasize the things that unite us rather than those that divide us.
The Commission therefore called on political parties to encourage their teaming supporters to go and register in a peaceful manner whilst observing all the necessary COVID-19 protocols in the interest of Mother Ghana.
 
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com | Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

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