Mr. Sulemana Mumuni, Upper West Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, has condemned violence, indiscipline, arrogance and other unpatriotic acts by some youth in the country.

Mr. Mumuni spoke on “The role of the youth in ensuring peaceful and violence free election in 2012,” at a forum organised to sensitise youth groups from the various political parties in the Wa area, to promote violent-free elections in Wa.

The United Nations Development Programme and National Peace Council sponsored the forum.

The Regional Minister expressed worry that some politicians influenced the youth to engage in political or electoral violence.

Mr Mumuni called on Ghanaians to support politicians who would formulate programmes aimed at bringing development and improving the welfare of the people, and shun politics of insults and violence.

He asked the youth to vote wisely to negotiate for a better future, and to persuade the people to participate in Election 2012.

The Deputy Upper West Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Osie Kwaku Ampofo-Duku, gave the assurance that the police would provide adequate personnel at all political rallies in the region.

He said regional and district security taskforces would be formed to monitor flash points and other polling stations, to deal with miscreants and other trouble makers.

ACP Ampofo-Duku stressed that, there would be a standby team to handle emergencies and protect electoral officers, voters and stakeholders and vital installations and electoral materials.

Mr. John Bosco Yaagi, Deputy Upper West Regional Director of National Commission for Civic Education, said the attainment of free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections would depend on the collective efforts of political parties, security personnel, Electoral Commission, media, opinion leaders among others.

Mr. Alhassan Abdulai, Executive Director of Centre for Promotion of Youth Development and Empowerment, a local non-governmental organisation working towards violent-free elections, said another forum would be organised for women in peace building, to educate and encourage them to advocate violent-free elections.

He said another one would be organized for the media on reporting on elections.**