Kumasi, Nov. 22, GNA - Political parties have been urged to be tolerant of divergent views, since multi-party democracy was not about enmity and violence.

Mr Charles Anarfi, chairman of the Kumasi Gentle Club, a benevolent society, who made the call, indicated that the nation had become a symbol of hope in the West African sub-region due to its peaceful democratic dispensation, since 1992 and it behoved on party leaders and their supporters to work hard to sustain it.

"A peaceful election in December could not be achieved, if political parties perceive themselves as enemies rather than partners in development with a common goal".

Mr Anarfi, who led his club to undertake a general clean-up exercise at the Manhyia District Hospital in Kumasi on Saturday, further advised women to take up more responsible roles in the society. This, he said, would facilitate prompt solution of the many problems confronting women, who are marginalized in decision-making in the society.

He announced that as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful election, his club had drawn up a comprehensive programme to meet all the youth wings of the political parties in the Kumasi metropolis so as to sensitise them to comport themselves before, during and after the December elections.

Mrs Anna Ofori, Head of the Public Health Unit of the hospital, commended the club for their regular clean-up exercise at the hospital to ensure its tidiness.