Women, Peace & Security
Source: allghananews
The Islamic Peace and Security Council (IPASEC), on Thursday launched a peace project dubbed: “Ensuring Violence Free 2012 Election in Zongo Communities in Greater Accra Region,” in Accra.
The project would train 220 men and 140 women election observers from the Zongo communities through the assistance of the National Commission for Civic Education and Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre, with supported from the Danish Embassy.
Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osaman, Executive Secretary of IPASEC, said the aim of the project was to sensitise the Zongo Communities to engage in violent-free and decent election.
He said the National Chief Imam has given a directive to all IPASEC officials “not to leave any peace project of the 2012 elections unattended.”
Alhaji Osaman noted that as part of the project, awareness would be created through education, preaching and training at the grass root level in the Zongo communities.
He said politicians took advantage of the plight of the Zongo youth, especially the unskilled and the idle, to advance their personal interests.
Alhaji Osaman said: “But that has to change from henceforth. During elections some politicians use them to gather support, cause unrest and sometimes steal ballot boxes,” he said.
He explained that the project would also build the confidence of members of Zongo communities in the electoral processes for acceptable results of the polls.
Alhaji Osaman asked: “where do we go if we allow the unfortunate to happen to Ghana ?, Ghana is the only country we have.”
Mrs Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, Coordinator of the National Youth Authority, said the youth needed to channel their energies to profitable ventures for national development.
She cautioned the youth not to fall prey to the tricks of politicians for their selfish gains.
Mrs Tamakloe-Attionu said because Government was committed to youth development, it has formulated a number of policies for young people.
Mr Nantogmah Abdul-Rashid, a representative of the Electoral Commission, called on organisers of the project to train the observers adequately to be able to contribute to the electoral process.
He pledged the Commission’s support for the project and said: “Islam means peace, therefore, Zongo communities should exhibit peace, accordingly.”
Apostle Samuel Yaw Antwi, General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal Council, congratulated the initiators of the project for their contribution to the promotion of national peace.