Politics of Monday, 2 April 2012

Source: GNA

Organize your campaigns with decorum - Brig. Gen. Agyemfra

Brigadier General Francis Agyemfra (rtd), visiting Senior Fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), has called on all the political parties to hold their campaigns with decorum.

He made the call when he launched a committee for the Enforcement Bodies of the 2012 Political Parties Code of Conduct for the Western and Central regions in Takoradi.

He said any misconduct during the elections would have serious repercussion on the socio-economy of the country and have negative impact on the entire populace.

Brigadier Agyemfra (rtd) urged party officials to muster courage and discipline their members who would want to foment trouble with their actions, utterances or reportage.

The Enforcement Body is made up of representative from all the political parties including the National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party, Convention People's Party, Progressive People's Party, People' National Party, the Ghana Police Service, National Commission for Civic Education, and the Electoral Commission.

The Enforcement Body Committee has Mr Kusi Aburaah, Western Regional Director of the NCCE and DCOP Stephen Andoh-Kowfie, Central Regional Police Commander as the chairpersons.

The Committee has among its terms of reference to monitor political campaigns, political discussions on the radio and bring to book those whose actions have the tendency to create confusion and chaos.

He said they should not hesitate in reprimanding an offender, applying sanctions and finally reporting to the law enforcement bodies for the law to take its cause if the offender remains indignant.

Brigadier Agyemfra said Ghana is an oasis of peace and stability in the sub-continent and urged the political parties to sustain this enviable reputation by refraining from uncomplimentary behaviours.

Mr Kwesi Biney, NPP member of the committee, appealed to the police to enforce the law, irrespective of who is involved and their political affiliation in order to bring fairness in the political game.

He said discrimination on the basis of political party brings tension and urged the law enforcement bodies to exhibit fairness and firmness.

The two chairpersons, Mr Aburaah and DCOP Andoh-Kwofie pledged to do a good job to ensure peaceful elections.

The launching was facilitated by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the National Catholic Secretariat in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute for Multi Party Democracy.**