The Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has condemned the political violence that erupted at Gushiegu in the Northern region. It said the shooting and burning of houses and other properties was unfortunate and condemnable. In a press statement signed by its president, Michael Adusei, GRASAG said it “strongly condemns these dastardly acts that cast a slur on the enviable democracy of Ghana.” The association stressed the need for the security agencies to deal decisively with the perpetrators of the crimes. It appealed to traditional leaders in the Northern Region to put their acts together and prevent their people from causing mayhem. The statement noted that the consequences of political violence were so dire that all right thinking members of the society must resist the temptation to engage in violent acts. GRASAG also called on the Electoral Commission to play a neutral role in this year’s elections. That, it said will make it unjustifiable for any political party to perpetrate violence during and after the elections. It emphasized the need for political tolerance in the country asking political leaders to set good examples for their followers. Read the full statement below. Story by Malik Abass Daabu PRESS RELEASE POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN GHANA The Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) has learnt with shock reports of the recent shooting and burning of offices and other property of the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress in Tamale and Gushegu. The reports indicate that at least seven lives have been lost. GRASAG strongly condemns these dastardly acts that cast a slur on the enviable democracy of Ghana. We therefore call on the security agencies to pursue the perpetrators of such heinous acts for the law to deal with them. Indeed, these reprehensive acts coupled with reported flashes of scuffles that characterized some of the primaries of the leading political parties eloquently speak of the woeful and lamentable political intolerance in Ghana. GRASAG is profoundly worried that violence of arson nature is gradually creeping into the electioneering campaigns of the political parties as December 7 polls draw near. What GRASAG finds difficult to understand is that none of the manifestoes of the contesting parties outlines bad intentions for the people of Ghana. Every political party wants to capture political power to better the lots of Ghanaians. It is, therefore, surprising that violence which has the potential of destroying Ghanaians is being used to capture this political power. GRASAG would like to remind all political parties and their supporters that there is only one Ghana which they are all aspiring to rule. They must, therefore, eschew tendencies and acts that can plunge her in bloodbath. The magnitude of destruction that political violence can unleash on a relatively peaceful nation like Ghana is obvious to all. Kenya, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Liberia are living testimonies of the barbarities and bestialities of political violence. GRASAG believes that violence-free elections can only be achieved through the concerted efforts of all stakeholders. The various political parties need to impress on their supporters the need for political tolerance. Flag-bearers, their running mates and their campaign teams must all pledge themselves to politics of ideas, not politics of violence. Gushing of political vituperations, raining of insults, beating of tribal drums and the use of inflammatory words must be consigned to the dustbin. The role of the Electoral Commission in ensuring violence-free December 7 elections is paramount. Perceived political neutrality of the Commission by all political parties in the political race is the necessary condition for ensuring peaceful elections in Ghana. It is, thus, incumbent on the Commission to make sure that it conducts itself in a manner that reveals its political neutrality. In addition, the Commission will do a lot of good to the people of Ghana if it is able to purge the electoral register of dirt including minors who allegedly managed to register during the recent voter registration exercise. The inability of the Commission to do this is likely to give cheap reasons to violence-drunk individuals to upset the political system in Ghana. The media have an indispensable role to play as far as the December 7 elections are concerned. Responsible and professional reportage devoid of bias and parochial interests by all media personnel will be a great asset to this nation. The pen, they say, is mightier than the sword. Nations have been set ablaze through the power of the ink. Thus, media personnel in Ghana must guard against unguarded comments and reportage that will fuel political tension in the country. Chiefs also have a stake in December 7 elections. What they say and do can make or unmake the elections. Tribal sentiments and open declaration of support for candidates are negative tendencies that must be avoided by all chiefs since they serve as unifying forces in their various jurisdictions. Religious leaders in Ghana can help this nation very much if they use their pulpits to preach peace. They must educate their followers to embrace peace and exhibit a high sense of political tolerance before, during and after the December 7 elections. One cannot discuss violence-free elections in Ghana without acknowledging the role of the security forces in Ghana. The swiftness, professionalism and political neutrality with which the security forces in Ghana, especially the Ghana police service, will perform their duties will count a lot if the December 7 elections are to be peaceful. The Ghana Police Service in particular needs to equip police personnel with requisite attitudes and accoutrements that enable them ensure effective policing before, during and after December 7 polls. Ghana is an icon of democratic success in Africa. There is, therefore, the need for all Ghanaians to ensure peace before, during and after the December 7 polls in order to safeguard this status. Signed MICHAEL ADUSEI (NATIONAL PRESIDENT) 0244784290/0271129356