Dearly beloved youth of Ghana I address you. Very soon, we shall be going to the polls. In fact, we have just some seventeen days left for us to cast our votes in the 2024 general election. Over the past few months, many are the institutions, organisations, civil society groups, religious groups as well as countless individuals who have called for peace, as we go to the polls. Even the United Nations has seen it fit to set camp here to promote peace before, during, and after the elections. Why is everybody calling for peace? There is no gainsaying that we live in troubled times. All around us, are sites of conflicts and violence. Our democracy is young and fledgling and owes its future only to peace.

As a septuagenarian, I have experienced violence and conflicts right here in this country. At the same time, I have had the opportunity of enjoying relative peace over the past thirty-two years. I am convinced that peace is better. This is why I consider it my bounden duty to add my voice to numerous others calling for peace as we go into the elections.

Dear young Ghanaians, let us prioritize understanding, empathy and cooperation over conflict, recrimination, vengeance and violence. Remember, ‘peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have and all that we are, toward creating a society that supports everyone’.

As you prepare to exercise your right to vote, do so with the intention of building a better future for all Ghanaians. In all situations, we must reject violence which comes from hatred and vengeance. Rather, embrace understanding, forgiveness, compassion and love.

Ghanaian youth, there are many concrete steps you can take to promote peace before, during and after the elections, but I commend to you only four critical behaviors; respect, tolerance, non-violence and empathy. From this moment on, make it your duty to treat any individual (regardless of their background and their status in life) with respect and dignity. Please do this even if they do not reciprocate your civility.

You will do society a lot of good if you learn to tolerate all views. Remember progress has its foundation in ideas and we accelerate progress as we cross fertilize ideas. Indeed, as a people, we are only recharged by the interplay of ideas which comes as a result of tolerating each other’s views. Do not forget that violence begets violence, therefore reject physical and verbal aggression.

Above all, understand and acknowledge the feelings of fellow Ghanaians. Dear young people, Ghana belongs to you because you are the people of tomorrow. The choices you make today will shape the future of our beloved country. Let us all wish and strive for a peaceful and united Ghana.

God bless our homeland Ghana and make us peace lovers. From today, when you meet your fellow Ghanaian, the new greeting is: “let peace prevail” and the response: “may peace prevail”.

Thank you very much for your attention.

FROM THE DESK OF ROLAND ROSS EWOOL

Tuesday, 26^th  November 2024.