Bishops discuss elections issues with Stakeholders
By Damian Avevor and Francis Monnie
15/Oct/2016
The Members of the Ghana catholic Bishops’ Conference have met with the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Charlotte Osei, Interior Minister, Mr. Prosper Bani and Top Security Heads, to discuss elections related issues, security and peace before, during and after the upcoming elections.
The meeting on October 11, was part of activities of the Bishops during their 10-day Plenary Assembly in Tamale.
Top Security Officers at the meeting included the Inspector General of Police, Dr. John Kudalor, Mr. Emmanuel Adzator, Director of Prisons, ACP Rev. Fr. George Arthur, Director of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Police Service and Parish Priest of St. George Catholic Church at Police Depot, Accra and other dignitaries.
The separate closed-door meetings also discussed the preparedness of the EC and the role the Bishops’ Conference and other Religious Bodies would play for a peaceful elections.
Mrs. Osei was confident that the general elections were going to be one of the best in the country and encouraged Ghanaians to exercise their franchise as good citizens of the country devoid of malpractices.
The Meeting with the Interior Minister also touched on some security concerns raised by the Bishops including the recent news of a macho man assaulting two Catholic Priests. The meeting also discussed security measures being put in place for a peaceful elections.
At a Press briefing after the meeting, Mr. Bani said the Ministry was ready to work with Religious Bodies and other stakeholders like political parties, media, Electoral Commission, National Commission for Civic Education, National Peace Council, as partners for a peaceful elections.
He assured Ghanaians that the country was safe and therefore they should go about their normal duties without fear or favour.
The Minister indicated that the Security Agencies were working hard to maintain the peace and stability being enjoyed in the country, noting that have been equipped with personnel and logistics among others to ensure that the upcoming elections remain as peaceful as ever.
Mr. Bani urged Ghanaians to be ready to share any information on security especially at these times so that everyone in the country would be secured, entreating them to cooperate with the security services.
On his part, Dr. Kudalor said the Security Agencies were aware of the proliferation of unauthorized private security bodies of armed youth popularly known as party vigilante within and outside a number of Political Parties, assuring Ghanaians that the Police was ready to clamp down on party vigilante since it was illegal for such groups to exist.
He said the growing phenomenon of Party vigilante who try to take the law into their hands could not be allowed to continue, since they did not feature in the national scheme of providing security to citizens and residents in Ghana.
He assured Ghanaians that the Security Agencies were well equipped to protect Ghanaians.
By Damian Avevor and Francis Monnie
15/Oct/2016
The Members of the Ghana catholic Bishops’ Conference have met with the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Charlotte Osei, Interior Minister, Mr. Prosper Bani and Top Security Heads, to discuss elections related issues, security and peace before, during and after the upcoming elections.
The meeting on October 11, was part of activities of the Bishops during their 10-day Plenary Assembly in Tamale.
Top Security Officers at the meeting included the Inspector General of Police, Dr. John Kudalor, Mr. Emmanuel Adzator, Director of Prisons, ACP Rev. Fr. George Arthur, Director of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Police Service and Parish Priest of St. George Catholic Church at Police Depot, Accra and other dignitaries.
The separate closed-door meetings also discussed the preparedness of the EC and the role the Bishops’ Conference and other Religious Bodies would play for a peaceful elections.
Mrs. Osei was confident that the general elections were going to be one of the best in the country and encouraged Ghanaians to exercise their franchise as good citizens of the country devoid of malpractices.
The Meeting with the Interior Minister also touched on some security concerns raised by the Bishops including the recent news of a macho man assaulting two Catholic Priests. The meeting also discussed security measures being put in place for a peaceful elections.
At a Press briefing after the meeting, Mr. Bani said the Ministry was ready to work with Religious Bodies and other stakeholders like political parties, media, Electoral Commission, National Commission for Civic Education, National Peace Council, as partners for a peaceful elections.
He assured Ghanaians that the country was safe and therefore they should go about their normal duties without fear or favour.
The Minister indicated that the Security Agencies were working hard to maintain the peace and stability being enjoyed in the country, noting that have been equipped with personnel and logistics among others to ensure that the upcoming elections remain as peaceful as ever.
Mr. Bani urged Ghanaians to be ready to share any information on security especially at these times so that everyone in the country would be secured, entreating them to cooperate with the security services.
On his part, Dr. Kudalor said the Security Agencies were aware of the proliferation of unauthorized private security bodies of armed youth popularly known as party vigilante within and outside a number of Political Parties, assuring Ghanaians that the Police was ready to clamp down on party vigilante since it was illegal for such groups to exist.
He said the growing phenomenon of Party vigilante who try to take the law into their hands could not be allowed to continue, since they did not feature in the national scheme of providing security to citizens and residents in Ghana.
He assured Ghanaians that the Security Agencies were well equipped to protect Ghanaians.
Bishop Agyenta of Navrongo-Bolgatanga welcomes EC Boss while others look on.
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Mrs. Charlotte Osei with the Bishops after the meeting in Tamale
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Bishop Osei-Bonsu welcoming Mr. Prosper Bani and Dr.
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