Tema, Sept 11, GNA - Traditional priests of the Greater Accra Region on Wednesday prayed for the forthcoming general elections to be peaceful and called on Ghanaians to desist from creating, which could lead to 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. They said the prayers at Tema Manhean during a durbar of chiefs, traditional leaders and people of Ga-Adangme. The Tema Traditional Council organized the durbar for the prayers, and the occasion was also used to educate the people on the importance of violence free elections.

Mr Fritz Addo, Deputy Tema Metropolitan Electoral Officer who addressed the durbar 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 appealed to Ghanaians not to allow the country to experience electoral conflicts, but should learn from other African countries including Zimbabwe, where electoral conflicts had turned down the peace of 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, as doing so 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 natives of the Greater Accra Region to promote peace among themselves for it to trickle down to 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 a peaceful elections.