Sunyani, May 2, GNA - Mr Charles Kofi Nkrumah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has appealed to political parties to allow the electorate to exercise their freedoms in choosing their favourite leaders during the December elections without any intimidation. Speaking at a forum organised by the International Movement of Catholic Students of Sunyani Polytechnic, Mr Nkrumah also urged the youth not to clamour for political favours in their decision making process, but they should vote with conscience so as to contribute to national development. He called on the youth to avoid discriminatory tendencies and help promote and maintain peace and stability during the elections.

Mr Nkrumah emphasized that the youth were the dynamo of political campaigns because they possessed the energy, enthusiasm and the drive to go round the country to canvass votes for their parties. "They are the most active in society and are always in the fore front of any violent political campaign and therefore bear the brunt". Mr. Nkrumah noted with regret that the youth had been used and misused during political campaigns, saying no political party would be successful without the participation of the youth. Professor Akwasi Nsia Gyabaah, Rector of Sunyani Polytechnic, in an address read for him, stated that the youth needed the right sense of direction, orientation and attitude so they would not be used by misguided individuals for selfish gains. He called on the youth to read widely, learn hard so they could make critical analysis of issues and make appropriate choices to help promote national development.

Prof Gyabaa appealed to parents, teachers, religious leaders and the media to collaborate with the NCCE to help create awareness among the youth to avoid acts that would create unnecessary tension or strife during the elections. "We must guard and protect the peace we are enjoying and promote acts that would bring harmony and unite us as one people towards the improvement in our lives by uprooting poverty and ignorance from society". Mr. James Oppong Boanu, Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Commander, warned the youth to desist from multiple registrations and voting, as well as the presentation of fake identity cards during the elections.