According to him, development initiatives can only thrive in a peaceful environment. He lamented the situation where the assembly’s resources are channeled to maintaining law and order instead of being used to execute development projects.

“A lot of our resources and money coming in are used to pay for the services of the military and police in the district. As of now, we owe a lot concerning military and police visits to the district, so we don’t have money to even execute projects. In fact, we spend GHc 1,200.00 on the patrol team and this should not be the case. The little revenue we have, we are using it to maintain law and order,” he added.

Mr. Bonsu Snr. made the appeal on the sidelines of a district town hall meeting organized by MAP International, a Christian Non Governmental Organization implementing the Ghana Strengthening and Accountability Mechanisms Project (GSAM) in the Brong Ahafo Region.

The interaction was to afford community members the opportunity to demand accountability from contractors and the assembly as well as answer queries on projects being executed in their communities.

The programme is supported by IBIS-Ghana, Integrated Social development Centre (ISODEC), and CARE International, and sponsored by the United State Agency for International Development (USAID).

The DCE pledged to constitute a reconciliation committee to foster peace and unity in the area by bringing all political parties on board for the district’s sustainable development as well as champion effective decentralization processes.

This according to the DCE will help to build trust, good rapport and establish the actual cause of reprisal attacks that have been the source of mistrust between the two main political parties in the district.

He promised to turn the fortunes of the district from a conflict ridden area into a business center.

Earlier, the Country Team Leader, Gilbert Asante and Programmes Officer, Nana Ama Tiwa-Boateng of MAP International, took participants through the aims and objectives of the GSAM project, and encouraged them to fully participate in the exercise to promote sustainable development.

She encouraged them to put into use all the skills and knowledge acquired in their training as community monitors, preparation of score cards, monitoring of projects and interface sessions to demand accountability.

Violence in Asunafo South

Asunafo South is one of the hot spots in the country especially during election periods.

In 2016, some residents of the area vandalized the office of the Electoral Commission during a special exercise to register new voters.

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By: Mashoud Kombat/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We can’t develop with violence – Asunafo South DCE appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The figure, reported by Reuters, is from Church sources in the country.

The deaths are the result of clashes between the army and a rebel group, but civilians have also been caught up in the violence.

The UN has reported on the discovery of more than 20 mass graves but has put the death toll so far at about 400.

According to the church, 20 villages have been completely destroyed, half of them by government troops.

The UN human rights chief, Prince Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, said investigators in Kasai province had identified dozens of mass graves along with harrowing evidence of people being shot, burned or hacked to death.

Atrocities were being carried out by the security forces and a government-backed militia, known as the Bana Mura, which was set up to help fight a rival group known as the Kamuina Nsapu, Prince Zeid said.

He added that local authorities had denied the UN access to information about what was happening in the region. The UN has said it has evidence that hundreds of villagers from the Luba and Lulua ethnic groups have been killed.

The UN Human Rights Council is likely to vote this week on whether to mandate an independent investigation into the violence following what the group’s commissioner described as horrific atrocities committed in Kasai province.

The Congolese authorities have said they would reject it.

More than a million people have been displaced in the region in the last year and aid workers say the humanitarian response on the ground has so far been inadequate.

Violence erupted in the once peaceful Kasai region last August, after the death of a local leader during fighting with security forces.

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Source: BBC

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It is said that, power is like a sweet intoxicating wine, the more you drink, the more you want. An eminent Ghanaian re-echoed same: it is better to be a messenger in a ruling government than to be general secretary of a political party in opposition. So when an open rebellion expressed in a courtroom is supported by the structures of a ruling Party, we ought not to expect a violation of their ‘protected right’ as suggested Party members?

These references hint at people’s mindset of governance, politics become an instrument of self-interest instead of the means to solve the problems of society. The irony in this mindset is obvious; it belies the truth and the dynamics of social laws of development. We make ignoble statements possible to fulfill during election campaign. We choose to tell people what they want to hear but not what we ought to tell them. Power is held out of being capable of delivering everything which people ask. Flowing from this, any problem people encounter is deemed to be weakness of people who have deliberately created misery, but no weakness on the part of leadership and societal structures.

Societal development is a continuum of actions and inactions, failures and successes, positives and negatives, throwing up new challenges as problems are solved and new ones emerges. There will always be problems for each generation to solve. Society can only be better understood this way.

The economic problem in this generation is eminent. In particular, we have scores of young men and women who are frustrated and cannot provide their ends meet from society and because of that they display their aggressions on their people. Some become criminals because of dictums of the society. And some by acts of decadence resolve to the martyrdom of people to secure their livelihood.

“All these are traceable to violence entailed in not organizing society in such a way to support their well-being. Unfortunately, lack of understanding of the victims does not permit to trace it to the structure. The young men and women are victims of violence but not violent. The violent is attached to the system.”
On each Independence Day we stereotypically light the “Perpetual Flame”. We often tell the youth that they are the future leaders. Now, this stereotype has misinformed and misled the youth: re-echoing in some of our minds sense entitlement without sense of effort. The contradictory clause, lighting the perpetual flame, conceals the possible application of the need for today tomorrow. We should be told that leadership emerges out of hard work for society. It is a not sweet intoxicating wine, neither is it a rich messenger in a ruling party.

Today, due to galamsey, our rivers are turning into gold, our forests are turning into gold, our waters are turning into gold, our plantains are turning into gold, but our bodies do not have the mechanisms to digest gold. Again, this can be attributed to the dearth of societal understanding.

Perhaps what moral right do the people of Diaso have to brutally take the life of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama? Was he a criminal? Or the mob was the criminal? Indeed, there was a complete violation of social law and there is no moral justification in this dastard situation. But how well do the laws of our society support morality?

When a group of thugs perceived as vigilante group, after being brought before the court of law for an attack at a Regional Coordinating Council resorted to further rampage in a court room to free their 13 colleagues on trial which is an affront on the court and on the judge, they were later on fine for relieve by the court, citing no evidence for prosecution. In this case, there is a perpetuation of violence in our society under a law which does not support morality.

In all, the law and society are the criminals. A law which does not relate to society is no law, and as such a violation of law. For this reason, a law must protect the values of society, defined by the rule of law.

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By: Michael Sumaila Nlasia ([email protected])

The post Ignorance breeds violence [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This decision follows the condemnation of post election violence by President Akuffo-Addo on Tuesday, in his first State of the Nation Address.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5PAWCAw8xnHrzI3QmVDrnZzMvspe5dvc”]The youth wing of the party earlier planned a demonstration against what they called violent attacks by the NPP on its supporters.

Announcing the decision in a press statement, the party’s General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia, further called on the President to disband the party’s vigilante group, invincible forces.

“On our part, we are calling off the planned demonstration of our Youth Wing against NPP violence scheduled for February 24, as a sign of good faith. We believe in peaceful coexistence and we see the President’s call as an important precondition for peace in Ghana. We therefore urge him to walk the talk,” the statement said.

President Akufo-Addo, while delivering his maiden State of the Nation Address before Parliament on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, condemned the spate of violent attacks that occurred during the country’s transition period earlier this year.

The President said, such “undignified” acts must not be allowed to continue in the country. “Wrong doing has no political colour, and I do not subscribe to the lawlessness of political party supporters simply because their party has been elected to office… I condemn all such conducts and call on all political parties especially the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ensure that this is the last time such undignified acts occur during our periods of transition,” he said.

The party also called on the President to immediately “disband and demobilize” the Invisible Forces; a private security group operating in the name of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

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By: Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NDC calls off planned demo against post-election violence appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The PPP, in a statement, said these incidents had taken the shine off the peaceful transition of power following the 2016 elections.

[contextly_sidebar id=”KprzFoc6YPwKCdXrNRpNLANIwANKLC26″]It also said the rhetoric coming from the two leading political parties were not good for national cohesion, and “a threat to National Security and National Development.”

In the party’s view, “recent comments from leading members of both dominant parties – NPP and NDC – have gone to inflame passions. Instead of calling their supporters to order and working together with the security apparatus to find a solution to the problem, they are rather engaging in intense politicking, and encouraging their supporters to become unruly.”

“We are by this statement sounding a word of caution to the leadership of the two parties especially the NPP because it is in power, to call their supporters to order. Ghana does not belong to NDC or NPP. We should not sit aloof for the two parties to plunge the country into chaos.”

Find below the full statement

Leadership of NPP NDC must act in the interest of the Nation

The Progressive People’s Party condemns the 2016 post-election violent attacks going on in the country. Ghana has been hailed by the International Community and Civil Society Organizations for organizing a peaceful election, and ensuring a smooth transition from an incumbent President to a newly elected President. As the beacon of hope in Africa, this has consolidated our democratic credentials – an enviable feat Ghanaians must pride ourselves in. Indeed, we must hold ourselves in high esteem and should be celebrating this remarkable achievement.

Instead, recent unfortunate post-election violent attacks on innocent Ghanaians and state properties appear to take the shine off this remarkable democratic achievement. It is reported that two NDC loyalists have died from post election violence and that such attacks worsened after the new President had been sworn-in on January 7, 2017. Why would the alleged NPP supporters attack their political opponents and vandalize state properties simply because their party has won political power? Why are they engaging in this act of violence when we have engaged law enforcers to protect and safeguard our interests?

Amazingly, the recent comments from leading members of both dominant parties – NPP and NDC – have gone to inflame passions. Instead of calling their supporters to order and working together with the security apparatus to find solution to the problem, they are rather engaging in intense politicking, and encouraging their supporters to become unruly.

While the Acting National Chairman of the NPP is reported, rather sadly, to have defended and backed the indecent act of his party supporters as “protecting state properties”, the National Chairman of the NDC in a press conference absolved the NDC counter attacks, and further advanced the argument that NDC lawbreakers should not be blamed for reprisal attacks emanating from “the beastly conduct of the Akufo-Addo invincible forces”. We find the intemperate language of these two political leaders unacceptable and unbefitting for National cohesion. Their comments are a threat to National Security and National Development.

These worrisome trends – socially unconstructive behavior – if encouraged, can only reflect the perpetrators assessment of their future economic prospects as uncertain and lead to a belief that Ghana is out of control.

This attitude can pose a threat to the development of competence and character among today’s youth who may find crime as an alternate source of income that promises greater short-term financial gains than employment.

We are by this statement sounding a word of caution to the leadership of the two parties especially the NPP because it is in power, to call their supporters to order. Ghana does not belong to NDC or NPP. We should not sit aloof for the two parties to plunge the country into chaos.

As a law abiding political party, we condemn the attacks and call on the security apparatus to bring the perpetrators to book. We commiserate with the victims of the attacks, and assure Ghanaians that the Progressive People’s Party will do everything within its powers to help stop this nastiness, if we are to create a just and disciplined society with a passion for excellence.

-Signed-

Nii Allotey Brew Hammond

National Chairman

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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It is unclear why the attack was launched but Citi News gathered that the incident occurred after supporters of both candidates had ended their respective rallies in the constituency.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0o9tfnAdFWOTcl3XOxt9Nwyc66CxCpXQ”]The incumbent Member of Parliament, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, alleged that the NPP’s Nii Lante Bannerman masterminded the attacks on his supporters on Tuesday [November 8] night when his team had ended a rally at Jamestown in the constituency.

According to him, Mr Bannerman had organized some young men to attack his team members with guns, machetes and other weapons.

He told Bernard Avle on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday that two of his team members were undergoing surgery at the Korle-Bu teaching hospital following the attacks.

“As I am talking to you now, I have two party boys at the Korle-Bu hospital surgical theatre undergoing surgery from gunshots from guys he [Bannerman] brought yesterday to come and kill our people, molest our people, intimidate them and assault them,” Mr Vanderpuye said.

He added that he led the police and some of the victims to arrest some perpetrators of the act.

Meanwhile, the NPP’s Nii Lante Bannerman has denied orchestrating the attacks. He however accused Mr Vanderpuye of physically assaulting him this morning [Wednesday].

Mr Bannerman said on the Citi Breakfast Show that Mr Vanderpuye dealt him two punches on his jaw this morning within provocation.

“The MP attacked me this morning, physically… in the full glare of everybody this morning at James town. He came out of his car, I was sitting in my car, then he just punched me. I was in the car, I was defenseless… he crossed us with is car and got down, he punched me twice.There were more than 20 of his personal security guys,” he alleged.

This is not the first time such violent incident has been reported in the constituency especially within electioneering periods.

‘War for war’

Nii Lante Vandepuye who doubles as the Minister for Youth and Sports said he had consistently called for peace and urged his supporters to exercise restrain even when provoked but will not hesitate of be violent when his opponent insists on attacking residents in the area and his supporters.

“I will continue to preach peace but if my son will not give me peace, I will not give him rest. I am reaching my limit, if Bannerman wants peace, I will give him peace, if he wants war, I will give him ten folds,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NDC, NPP supporters clash at Odododiodoo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to group the violence will trickle down to musician camps, religious sects and political vigilante groups misunderstanding likely to degenerate into political upheaval.

President of the Catholic Archbishops Conference of Ghana, Most Rev. Philip Naameh who doubles as Chairman of REEWARG sent the early warning signal in a speech read on his behalf at a media briefing in Tamale.

“This is more so because there seems to be ready incentives for violence enticing these vulnerable youth.”

He thereby passionately appealed to the youth to serve as peace Ambassadors in their localities.

“Be mindful about your role and interest in politics and governance and be encouraged to ensure a peaceful environment in order to play those roles.”

“During this electioneering campaign season, the youth should rather ask the politicians critical questions on their manifestoes and plans and question the attitudes of those who want to win by all means.”

The Tamale Catholic Diocese Archbishop bemoaned, “Some of our local musicians have engaged in intense competition over who is or is more powerful than the other especially in terms of who has a larger following and this can incite their following to engage in violence this year”,

He also raised alarm over the numerous unresolved chieftaincy and land disputes recorded in the region.

Media circumspection

Most Reverend Philip Naameh urged media practitioners in the region to be circumspect in their reportage.

“The media should not be used as a conduit to subvert the peace of the region and the country as a whole.”

“As media, you should be reminded that without peace everything will come to a standstill. The media itself cannot operate in a disorganised environment.”

“Experiences of other countries that suffered the effects of negative media reportage should constantly be keeping us in check that the role of the media is to inform, educate and entertain but not to inflame passions,” Reverend Naameh stressed.

He further kicked against media sensationalism saying, “Avoiding inflammatory language is very possible if you censor the messages of those who engage in intemperate language before letting it out to the public.”

“I am not concluding that you should blacklist such “Troublesome politicians” from radio discussions but you can act professionally to prevent them from being self-centered in their quest for power to the detriment of peace and security in our communities and of the nation”

The Executive Secretary of the Northern Regional Peace Council, Rev. Father Thaddeus Kuusah impressed upon the media to engage in conflict sensitive reporting.

This in his estimation could avoid inflaming passions when reporting on conflicts.

“Sometimes when we hear conflicts being reported we have the impression that it is mainly on one side but what we can do is to try to get the two sides to begin to talk to address their issues of concern.”

Rev. Father Kuusah added, “Avoid the use of words such as devastated, tragedy and terrorise to describe conflict situations in your reportage.”

The Tamale meeting was meant to pinpoint some key human security threats that could endanger national security during the forthcoming elections.

It was also used to remind journalists and media houses of their responsibility to zealously safeguard the nation’s peace before, during and after the December polls.

REEWARG is a peace advocacy group formed by the National Peace Council, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), West Africa Network for Peace-Building (WANEP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Elections 2016:Youth violence imminent in Northern Region appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to FOSDA, internationally, Ghana’s Democracy, which can be described as a matured democracy by all standards, still has indicators that led to violence in some countries.

This according to FOSDA is due to the use of intemperate language by politicians.

This came to light when the Executive Director for the foundation, Madam Afi Yakubu, was addressing some youth at a youth programme to educate them on the need for a peaceful elections.

The programme, which was organized by FOSDA, is aimed at training some 25 youth within Ashaiman and its surrounding areas as peace ambassadors to propagate peace before, during and after the December polls.

According to the Executive Director, politicians must desist from the use of languages that would create tensions since their utterances could degenerate into hate among their followers.

“Per the international standard, if a country is able to organize three successful elections under multi-party democracy, then it can be described as a matured democracy and that by all standards; Ghana qualifies to be a matured democracy because we are going for our 7th elections. Sadly, some of the indicators that lead to violent elections that other countries have experienced; are here with us and that is why FOSDA is advocating that politicians must be mindful of their utterances in order not to create tension before, during and after the polls”.

The two-day workshop is dubbed, GHANA 2016; youth in peaceful elections campaign.

The youth are to be taken through training such as conflict management, role of youth in peaceful elections and democracy and good governance.

The Municipal Chief Executive for Ashaiman, Ibrahim Baidoo noted that though Ashaiman is tagged by the police as a flash point, it has conducted itself well over the years.

He said Ashaiman in the last elections did not record any major incident of electoral violence.

This he said was due to strict measures put in place by the Municipal Security Council.

“Though Ashaiman is tagged as a flash point, the Assembly together with the security has put in place some measures to ensure no incident of violence is recorded in the December polls as far as Ashaiman is concerned”

Mr. Baidoo advised the youth to ensure at all times they uphold the peace they enjoy, and must not allow any politician to use them to perpetuate any act of violence before, during and after the elections.

The youth on their part promised to be promoters of peace in their various communities to ensure a violent free election.
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By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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