THE Executive Director of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Mr Emmanuel Bombande, has called on the youth to use dialogue in all endeavours to enable them to find amicable solutions to problems and grievances.
That, he said, would help minimise tension before, during and after the December general election to help to nurture a vibrant democracy in the country.
Speaking at the Inter-Party Youth Committee (IPYC) at Koforidua, Mr Bombande said “the use of dialogue allows us to explore and discover each other and to find the best solutions to our common problems and challenges as a nation”.
The regional forum brought together about 150 youth from the main political parties, namely the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the People’s National Convention (PNC) in the Eastern Region.
It was organised by the IPYC with sponsorship from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Foundation.
The Executive Director of WANEP said since the youth constituted majority of the electoral population, any action or inaction on their part could have positive or adverse effect on the country’s electioneering.
“If we make the use of dialogue an integral part of our political culture, we can be sure of building a vibrant democracy that will be a role model for other countries in the sub-region,” he said.
To this end, Mr Bombande challenged the youth to endeavour to exhibit a true political leadership by not allowing themselves to be influenced materially and financially by politicians for their parochial interest.
“Our belief and ideology of our respective political parties should not allow us to be influenced by political leaders. As a guiding principle and a hallmark of our true leadership aspiration, we must resist such negative influence at all times to ensure our credibility and integrity as individuals,” Mr Bombande stated.
He encouraged the youth to take active part in politics, but urged them not to hesitate to condemn politicians who engaged in unhealthy politics of insults and personal attacks.
Mr Bombande said, “As future leaders, we should not see political opponents as enemies but people with different political ideologies and beliefs,” adding that whoever would emerge winner in the upcoming elections should be given the necessary support and co-operation for the good of the country.
For their part, the representatives of the NPP, NDC, PNC and CPP shared thoughts on the role the Electoral Commission, the media, the chieftaincy institution and religious bodies could play towards the conduct of a credible election.
Speaking on the topic: “Tolerance — Means of Achieving Political Excellence”, the National Youth Organiser of the CPP, Mr James K. Bomfeh Jnr, said intolerance had created anarchy and chaos in many African countries, citing Kenya, Gabon and Cote d’ Ivoire as examples.
He, therefore, urged the youth to respect and tolerate others with diverse political views.
In a presentation on the topic: “Averting Conditions Militating Against a Free Political Atmosphere”, the Deputy National Youth Co-ordinator of the NDC, Mr Kofi Adams, called for the banning of formation of militant groups by political parties.
He also called for adequate resources for the EC to enable it to conduct a credible election.
Mr Emmanuel Wilson of the PNC, who spoke on the topic: “Political Discipline — Conduit for Violence-Free Elections”, urged the youth to demonstrate political discipline and resist attempts by politicians to engage them in negative acts that could mar the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.
Mr Alex Kotey, the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NPP, called on political leaders, the youth and the media to be mindful of their utterances so as not to incite the people.
He spoke on the topic: “Free and Fair Elections — The Propaganda of the Ghanaian Youth”.
He said “any negative act on our part could spark violence and set back the country’s democratic gains”.
A representative of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Mr Ibrahim Tahiru, pledged the commitment of his outfit to support youth political programmes to enable them to play the effective leadership role expected of them.
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