Apostle Safo condemns political violence

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Founder and General Overseer of the Kristo Asafo Christ Reformed Church, Apostle Kwadwo Safo, has condemned the recent violence and inflamed passions that has characterized the on-going national biometric voter registration exercise at selected polling stations across the country.

The man of God expressed regret over the use of abusive and inflamed language by political functionaries, provocative and divisive statements that have become the order of the day rather than actual debates on national issues and policies.

Apostle Safo made this remarks after together with his daughter, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Dome- Kwabenya, Lawyer Sarah Adwoa Safo, went to the Christ Apostolic Church Polling centre at Taifa in Accra to take part in the on-going national biometric voter registration.

He expressed grave concern that the current political tension in the country had the tendency to plunge the nation into anarchy.

“Ghana is a peaceful country, so politicians should not turn it into a war country,” he said adding that politicians should not be allowed by the hosts of the radio programmes to hurl insults at their opponents.

Continuing, the man of God said Ghana was bigger than any person, group or political party interest, stressing that Ghanaians had a responsibility to guard the peace that was being enjoyed.

“The whole world’s attention is on Ghana and we must not disappoint the people of this country especially our children, the world and above all the God we are called to serve.”

He therefore asked government to sanction government officials who illegally obstructed political activities and provide conducive environment for free, credible and transparent elections.

Apostle Safo also appealed to government to ensure the availability of adequate logistics and resources for carrying out the elections and ensure that adequate security was provided to all stakeholders participating in the electoral processes.

“The government should take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetrating of fraud, rigging or any other illegal practices throughout the whole electoral process, in order to maintain peace and security, “he advised

He called on the Judiciary to remain neutral and expedite justice on electoral related cases in the discharge of its constitutional mandate while political parties were urged to refrain from verbal or other provocation that could increase political tensions, including intimidation of rivals, calls to violent revenge or appeal to ethnic or regional hatred.

Political parties were advised to succumb to the rule of law and allow the justice systems to deliver justice appropriately and reprimand those who foment violence.

He also called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to continue to operate an open door policy which embraced Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and international observers monitoring elections, to ensure that the electoral process was transparent, free, credible and fair to all.

The EC was also tasked to provide an enabling environment to the physically challenged and other vulnerable groups to enable them exercise their franchise.

To the security services, the Apostle asked them to remain neutral and provide security to all political parties, polling stations and for all citizens and not to compromise the national interest and avoid manipulation from political parties, groups or individuals in authority.

Apostle Safo asked the electorate to comport themselves and resist politicians who incite them to violence.

He pledged to continue to sensitize his members on the need to ensure peaceful, credible, free and transparent elections and continue to pray for peace before, during and after the elections.

STORY:  KORYEKPOR AWLESU FREEMAN

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