The Methodist Church Ghana on Sunday launched the ‘Methodist Youth against Vigilantism’ group to commence a campaign to promote peace ahead of the December 7 general election.
The group was launched in Accra in collaboration with Greater Accra Regional Peace Council and National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
It was charged to deliver peace messages at churches, communities, market places, social media platforms, and through musical concerts with the slogan: ‘Say No to Vigilantism, My Peace, Your Peace, Our Peace!’
The group, to begin its campaign, sketched a drama to send a word of caution to all youths to avoid vigilantism as it has repercussions in terms of health, psychological, social and the sanctions involved.
The Right Reverend Samuel Osabutey, the Methodist Bishop of Accra, said humans differed in their principles, perceptions, religious beliefs, practices, social inclusions among other issues and it was required of all to accept each other to promote peace and development.
Dr Afua Yakohene, a member of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, speaking on: ‘The Need for Peace,’ said the youth must avoid polarisation and prioritise their future, families and the country before engaging in any form of violence to push the agenda of a political party.
She advised the public to engage in politics of dignity and avoid name calling, bearing in mind the ‘Principle of Double Effect,’ where they could be affected by their own actions and appealed to Ghanaians to adopt dialogue to settle all forms of misunderstanding, as dialogue gave an opportunity to explore root causes of crisis and its resolution to promote acceptance, consensus building, peace, stability and unity.
Attoh Okai, the Executive Secretary of the Greater Accra Regional Peace Council, addressing the youth on the topic: ‘Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 999 (2019)’, explained that the party, which failed to comply with sanctions shall have its chairman, general secretary, national organiser and treasurer liable to not less than 10,000 penalty units and not more than 25,000 penalty units and could also face term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and not more than 25 years.
Lucille Hewlett-Annan, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NCCE, who spoke on ‘Civic and Voter Education’, observed that voting was the civic duty of every eligible citizenry and the only way to have legitimate government to manage affairs of the country was through elections. -GNA
