Kumasi, Oct. 29, GNA - Students in second-cycle institutions, have been advised to desist from wearing or using political party paraphernalia within their school premises. Mr Joe Koranteng, Guidance and Counselling Co-ordinator at the Ashanti Regional Education Directorate, who gave the advice, explained that school premises were not appropriate places for political campaigns and especially because second cycle students were not permitted to engage in active politics on campus.

He was speaking on the topic: "The Role of Students in Ensuring Violent Free Elections" at a day's forum organised by the management of the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) in Kumasi on Tuesday. Mr Koranteng stated that it was a serious offence against the country's electoral laws to destroy party posters and therefore admonished the students not to allow themselves to be manipulated by any political leadership.

"Participatory elections serve as the bedrock of any democratic dispensation and, therefore, the suspicions and mistrust that surrounded the impending general elections is a serious threat to the country's post-election stability," he said. He stressed the need for the youth to protect and consolidate the current peace and stability that the country enjoys to promote Ghana's political and socio-economic progress. Mrs Eunice Appiah-Nkansah, the Vice-Principal of KTI, who presided, advised the students to exercise their franchise with discretion during elections. She cautioned them against any acts that would not only undermine the success of the general elections but also affect the image and credibility of the Institute.