Keep minors away from polling

Story: Matilda Attram

The Mukasahemaa of Akuapem, Nana Afuadu Kwadyan II, has cautioned women to keep their children who are minors away from polling stations during the December elections.
She said it was the responsibility of mothers to advise their husbands and children to be tolerant before, during and after the December elections.
She was speaking at a forum organised by the Greater Accra Regional branch of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) in Accra to sensitise them to the role of women in the development of the nation.
It was on the theme “Tolerance for Peaceful, Non-Violent Elections”.
She said as mothers they were in a good stead to influence their husbands and children on ensuring peace in the communities where they belonged.
Nana Kwadyan also urged women to ensure that there was friendship and unity among people of different political persuasions which served as factors for social integration and cohesion.
“The prospect of a future peace and prosperity largely depends on us. Elections should not be seen as a do or die affair, but rather a tool for development. We are all involved in creating peace in our country”, she said.
She therefore appealed to political leaders to be mindful of their utterances and to advice their followers to be tolerant in order not to incite violence.
The Greater Accra Regional Director of the NCCE, Mrs Doris Otiwa Archeampong, in her welcome address stated that, women were very important in the affairs of every nation, without which prosperity would not be attained.
“In spite of all the discrimination against women in our society, we still remain the latent power in whose bosom and hands lies the peace and prosperity of the nation” she said.
She said that women and children were mostly victims of conflict situations and bore the atrocities of all negativities such as rape, hunger and torture.
“ It is in the light of this concern that I urge you to gird your loins, so that together as one we will ensure that the forthcoming elections are held in a non-violent environment. It is therefore incumbent on us as women to take the destiny of our nation in our hearts and do all that is necessary to bring peace which will benefit us and our children”, she cautioned.
Mrs Archeampong stated that elections were a key component of democracy that enabled eligible citizens to exercise their franchise for the progress of the nation they belong to.
“Elections enable citizens to exercise their freedom of choice in electing their leaders to help develop the nation” she stated.
According to her, tolerance, fairness, transparency and obedience were components of friendship and unity which built social integration and cohesion.
She said everyone had the right to speak but noted that they must be responsible to show respect for each others sensibilities to maintain peace and harmony.