Tema, Sept 10, (GNA - Traditional priests of the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday prayed for a peaceful general elections and urged Ghanaians to resist electoral conflicts.

The traditional priests of Tema, Kpone, Prampram, Nungua, Teshie, La, Osu, Appolonia, Katamanso and Bortianor clad in their traditional white clothes, poured libation in turns, supplicating the gods for peace before, during and after the December 7 general elections. The prayers were said at Tema Manhean during a durbar of chiefs and people of Ga-Adangme.

The Tema Traditional Council organized the durbar and the occasion was also used to educate the public on the importance of a violence free elections.

Mr Fritz Addo, Deputy Tema Metropolitan Electoral Officer, said to avoid creating conflicts, Ghanaians, especially politicians and their followers should adhere to the nation's electoral laws. Mr Addo entreated political parties to educate their followers to be tolerant of their opponents' views in order to avoid fuelling conflicts.

He added that Ghanaians must not allow the country to experience electoral conflicts but rather learn from other African countries including Zimbabwe, where electoral conflicts had undermined the peace in that country.

The Electoral Officer advised the public against wearing of party paraphernalia on the Election Day, and cautioned foreigners and ineligible voters not to attempt to vote, since it was against the law. Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse, in a welcome address said the Council deemed it necessary to unite all the traditional priests to pray for the country due to the eruption of conflicts between political parties in some parts of the country. Nii Kraku also called on the people of Greater Accra to promote peace among themselves for and with other ethnic groupings in the country.

Nii Tei Adumuah II and Nii Otu Akwetey IX, Appolonia Mantse, who represented Nii Tetteh Otu II, President of the Greater Accra House of Chiefs and Katamanso Mantse respectively, reiterated the need for peaceful elections.