Don't be tools of destruction -Youth urged

With barely a few weeks for the 2012 election petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to come to a close, the National Peace Council (NPC) has called on the youth of Ghana to avoid any acts that may mar the peace of the nation.

The Chairman of the NPC, Most Rev. Emmanuel Asante, in an interview with the Junior Graphic, said the  case pending before the SC is a very sensitive one therefore, the youth must be careful about how they  talk  about it  and  learn to accept  the  final decision,  no matter  one's political stance.

"Because we belong to different ethnic, religious and political groups, we are bound to be in conflict with each other. It is important for us to manage our conflict of interest. Jaw jaw, is better than war," he stated.

Most Rev. Asante also said the youth must know they are the biggest stakeholders of the country as they are both the present and the future. As a result, whatever the verdict, there is the need to talk to one another peacefully without any provocation even if the party they support becomes the victor.

"We have only one nation and besides, Ghana is bigger than any political divide, therefore, we need to remain united, support and love one another. You can express your view but do not fight," he stressed.

He said children suffered most when there was civil strife or any kind of unrest in a country and, therefore, it was important for the youth to consider their studies first.

"As children, you must endeavor to be respectful, hardworking, God-fearing and law-abiding, so that you will grow up to become very responsible adults in future."

Most Rev. Asante also advised parents to be watchdogs over their children so that they would not be used as tools for destruction in order not to violate the current peace the country is enjoying.

It would be recalled that after the declaration of the results of the 2012 presidential election, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; his running mate, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, and the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, filed a writ at the SC challenging the declaration of President John Mahama as the winner of the poll.

The court completed its hearing about two weeks ago and fixed yesterday, July 30, 2013 as the date for the presentation of addresses by the petitioners (NPP) and the respondents (The President, NDC and The Electoral Commission) in the matter.

Even before the delivery of the final verdict, fears have been raised about the possibility of violence after the court gives its decision.

By Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah/Junior Graphic/Ghana