Politics of Wednesday, 14 July 2004

Source: GNA

Politicians advised to guard their utterances

Pramso (Ash), July 14, GNA - Politicians have been once again reminded of the need to guard against utterances that could plunge the country into confusion during the electioneering campaigns for the Election 2004.

Mr Kofi Akoto Boateng, Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma District Co-ordinator of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), who gave the reminder, said they should also adopt positive attitudes to divergent political views to promote national cohesion. He was addressing a durbar organised by the chiefs and people of Pramso on political tolerance at Pramso.

Mr Boateng asked Ghanaians to recognise the impact that proper organisation of political campaigns could have on the country's young democracy.

The campaigns preceding the parliamentary and presidential elections should, therefore, be devoid of any acts that had the potential to cause disunity and disintegration of the country, he said. Political parties, Mr Boateng, said should be recognised as basic structures for discussing and addressing issues that affected society, pointing out that, though political parties differed in their approach to issues that should not create disunity and acrimony.

He urged party activists, chiefs and opinion leaders to focus on the need for peace and unity so as to promote the democratic process through smooth and peaceful elections.