A four-member executive body of the newly inaugurated Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) at Keta in the Volta Region have called on media practitioners and political communicators to be decorous in the run up to the December polls.
They emphasised they would not give violence a chance and are ready to trigger punishment for anyone or groups who would want to distort the harmony in the area.
In an interview with Mama Ketor IV of Anloga, who is also the Vice Chairperson of the Committee, advised political commentators to stop using harsh and intemperate language as the contest is about ideas.
‘Violence during elections is not only caused by physical attacks, but also by the things we say. Our media platforms must be sanctified, so we are calling on political party communicators to avoid using hate speech that may trigger anger in their opponents.’
Togbi James Ocloo V, Chairman of the Committee, on his part, called on media practitioners to be professional in their conduct.
‘Our journalists are major ke
y stakeholders in violent-free elections, and that, they must be neutral in their commentaries and interviews.’
Togbi Ocloo further hinted that they would be organising an educational seminar for journalists and political communicators as part of their action plans.
He also touched on outreach programmes for schools, religious gatherings, and other quarters to preach peace before the polls.
Madam Agatha Fiakofi, a Civic educator, on behalf of the Keta NCCE Director, congratulated members of the Committee Executives for their elections and promised the Directorate would offer them any support in achieving the goals it was inaugurated for.
The Committee is made up of Togbi James Ocloo V, the ‘Dufia’ of Keta, Mama Ketor IV of Anloga as Vice-Chairperson, Madam Sherita Kudoda as Treasurer, and the Secretariat slot reserved for the NCCE officials
Events such as peace walks, peace seminars, and community engagements remained some of the Committee’s hopes for a peaceful exercise.
Source: Ghana News Agency