The ceremony, held at the Jubilee House on May 7, brought together prominent religious, traditional, and civil society leaders who will steer the Council’s mandate of promoting peace, dialogue, and national cohesion.

List of Members of the Reconstituted National Peace Council:

1. Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Fianu, SVD (Chairman)

2. Rt. Rev. Dr. Hilliard K. Dela Dogbe, Ph.D.

3. Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye

4. Bishop Dr. Victor Osei

5. Alhaji Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih

6. Sheikh Salman Mohammed Alhassan

7. Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu

8. Numo Blafo Akotia Omaetu III

9. Linda Teye

10. Dr. Abubakar Umar Alhassan

11. Georgette Francois

12. Susan Aryeetey

13. Nana Effah-Apenteng

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Dr. George Amoh speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, highlighted the role of trust and leadership in resolving the long-standing Bawku chieftaincy dispute.

“The issue of trust is critical in peacebuilding, and I think that has been the biggest challenge in the Bawku crisis,” Dr Amoh stated.

He noted that the deep-seated mistrust between factions has complicated efforts to find a sustainable resolution.

“Even when people mean well, the level of distrust is so significant that intentions are often misunderstood or ignored.”

President Mahama’s visit, according to Dr Amoh, sends a strong signal to the people of Bawku and the nation at large.

“In peacebuilding, signals are very important, and his presence there, the words he’s spoken, are very critical,” he said.

Dr Amoh commended the former President for making Bawku one of his priority destinations outside Accra.

“This is his first trip outside of Accra, apart from Pomadze, where he joined the Ahmadiyya community last week. Going to Bawku is very significant. He has met the Bawku Naba, and I believe he will also meet the Nayiri, which is very critical,” he noted.

The Executive Secretary explained that the National Peace Council has been consistent in promoting coexistence and dialogue as essential tools for peace.

“If you look at the statement we issued, we are trying to emphasise the need for us to coexist and promote peace. Without peace, no development can stand, so we are in search of peace,” he said.

Dr. Amoh also drew parallels to other regions, citing Ejura as an example of a community that has faced challenges with unrest.

He urged leaders to focus on fostering trust and ensuring that appointees tasked with handling sensitive conflicts are seen as neutral and unifying.

Former Defense Minister Dominic Nitiwul’s recent remarks on trust were echoed by Dr Amoh, who stressed the importance of building credibility among stakeholders in Bawku.

“Trust has been damaged to the extent that even if you mean well, people do not give your actions the attention they deserve. This is why leaders need to be deliberate about restoring faith and confidence,” he said.

Dr Amoh called on all stakeholders, including political leaders, traditional authorities, and civil society groups, to work collaboratively toward peace in Bawku.

He reiterated the Peace Council’s commitment to supporting dialogue and reconciliation efforts.

“President Mahama’s visit is a step in the right direction, but we need sustained efforts and consistent engagement to rebuild trust and ensure peace,” he concluded.

The visit comes against the backdrop of escalating violence in Bawku, which has claimed lives and displaced many residents.

The conflict, rooted in a chieftaincy dispute, continues to challenge the region’s stability and development.

In a statement, the NPC condemned every incident of electoral violence, emphasizing its sorrow over the situation.

To address these challenges, the NPC has confirmed that each of the 16 Regional Peace Council (RPC) offices is actively working on the ground to restore peace in their respective regions.

The Regional Chairmen and Regional Executive Secretaries are closely monitoring the incidents and coordinating efforts to escalate the issues to the relevant authorities.

These include the Regional Inter-Party Advisory Committee (RIPAC), the regional division of the Ghana Police Service (GPS), and the Regional Security Councils (REG SECs), among other stakeholders.

At the national level, the NPC continues to monitor the incidents and escalate them as needed to key organizations such as the Electoral Commission, the National Election Security Taskforce led by the Inspector-General of the Ghana Police Service, and other relevant bodies.

NPC Chairman, Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, highlighted the crucial role of the Regional Peace Councils in maintaining peace across all regions.

“Our teams have been working tirelessly behind the scenes over the weekend to mediate and expedite resolutions for many of the tragic incidents of electoral violence we have witnessed as a nation,” he said.

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His comments come amid rising tensions and incidents of agitation across the country as anxious citizens await official results.

Speaking at a press briefing, Asiedu Nketia emphasized that the two leading parties, the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have already declared their tallied results, which align with declaring John Dramani Mahama as the winner.

Despite this, the EC remains silent, which the NDC views as a dangerous delay that could escalate tensions.

“The two key players in this election, the NDC and the NPP, have presented their collated results, and the NPP has even conceded. So, what is keeping the Electoral Commission from officially declaring the results?” Asiedu Nketia quizzed.

He pointed to the potential for unrest as frustrated youth at various collation centres grow impatient.

“The silence of the EC is becoming a threat to peace. The National Peace Council and other stakeholders must act now to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control,” he warned.

Asiedu Nketia also highlighted the role of the National Peace Council in ensuring fairness.

He noted that the Council previously spearheaded a peace pact among political parties but argued that peace cannot be sustained without transparency and justice.

“The Peace Council must show leadership by holding the EC accountable for this delay. Peace is not just about signing agreements; it requires all stakeholders, including the EC, to fulfill their responsibilities in a fair and timely manner,” he said.

He called on the EC to prioritize the national interest by announcing the presidential results, even if all parliamentary results are not yet finalized.

“You don’t need to declare all constituency results before announcing the winner of the presidential election,” he stressed.

Asiedu Nketia reiterated the NDC’s stance on maintaining peace but insisted that the EC’s actions are critical to achieving that goal.

“We have always been committed to peace, but peace thrives on justice. The EC must act swiftly,” he concluded.

This afternoon, the Ghana Police Service confirmed the arrest of four individuals in connection with a shooting incident at Nyankpala in the Northern Region.

The tragic incident resulted in the death of one person and left another injured.

In response, the NPC strongly condemned the violence, stressing that the killing and injuring of any individual during the elections is unacceptable.

The council extended its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the local community in Nyankpala, as well as to other areas affected by similar electoral violence.

The NPC reiterated its firm stance against the use of firearms in any electoral process across the country.

This call for peace came shortly after the signing of the 4th Presidential Elections Peace Pact in Accra on November 28, 2024, where all political parties had pledged to ensure peace and stability before, during, and after the elections.

The NPC urged all political parties and their supporters to honor the commitments made by their leaders, stressing that these promises were vital for the continuation of a democratic and peaceful Ghana.

The council also called on the Ghana Armed Forces to uphold their pledge not to station military personnel at polling stations during the elections.

It reiterated that the Ghana Police Service remained the primary body responsible for election security.

As the polls neared their end, the NPC called on all Electoral Commission personnel to carry out their duties with the utmost professionalism and integrity.

The NPC also urged the Ghanaian public to exercise restraint, respect the law, and maintain order, ensuring that the election process remained peaceful and democratic.

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The rallies, scheduled to take place nearby at Legon and Madina, come just two days before Ghana’s presidential election on Saturday, December 7.

In a statement released today, the NPC reminded supporters of the Peace Pact signed last week by all 12 presidential candidates, including Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP and John Mahama of the NDC.

The pact commits the candidates to fostering peace and stability throughout the election period.

The NPC has also released a video promoting peace and unity, encouraging political supporters to respect differing opinions. Fouzia, an Assistant Programmes Manager at the NPC, delivers a clear message in the video:

“Elections will come and go, but we remain here as a people. Someone’s opinion or ideology does not make another’s wrong. Let’s respect and be tolerant.”

As the campaign season concludes, the NPC urges all political parties and their supporters to adhere to law and order during their rallies.

Security agencies have also been called upon to ensure professionalism while providing security for citizens.

The NPC emphasises that peaceful elections are critical for Ghana’s democracy and stability.

The Council expressed optimism that this year’s elections would be the most peaceful in the Fourth Republic, following all necessary engagements with various election stakeholders.

Dr. David Esinu Yao Normanyo, Executive Secretary of the Volta Region NPC, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, stated that they had done their best to ensure everyone played their roles effectively.

“We have done all necessary engagements with those who matter, and we can assure the public and the rest of the world that this year’s elections will be very peaceful, and there will not be a repeat of 2020,” he said.

Dr. Normanyo mentioned that there had been sufficient engagement with various political parties and relevant institutions toward the signing of the much-anticipated Peace Pact, which will take place on December 4, just before the elections on December 7.

He added that, prior to the signing of the Peace Pact, there would be a series of peace dialogues in 23 selected constituencies nationwide, including Ketu South and Hohoe in the Volta Region, identified as flashpoints in the region.

“Though politics comes with interests and temperaments, we are calling on everyone to embrace tolerance and respect all electoral laws. With that, we shall have a peaceful election,” Dr. Normanyo said.

He also called on various institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, the media, and the Electoral Commission, to play their roles with care to promote transparency and fairness in the election outcomes.

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According to him, some expect the council to perform duties beyond its legal mandate.

The Peace Council has faced criticism about its relevance and functions, especially from the main opposition party. This party has raised several issues with the Electoral Commission, particularly regarding the preparation for elections, including concerns about the provisional electoral roll and voter registration.

Speaking on JoyNews News Desk, Prof Asante said “People are expecting the Peace Council to do things that are not within their mandate, but again, Peace Council should come open and let people know the kinds of things they do, even before elections.

“I am here in Kumasi, and I know the amount of work the Peace Council has done, even among chieftaincy disputes in different areas and all that. They have done a lot of work, and they are doing a lot of work.”

Prof Asante explained that the Peace Council’s role is to promote peace, encourage dialogue, and bring people together.

He noted that since 2012, the Council has made significant efforts to unite parties, engage with individuals and the youth, and educate them about the importance of peace.

“And even afterwards, the vigilante things, how we were able to bring the parties together. Apart from the laws that were enacted in Parliament, bringing the parties together to commit themselves to the whole vigilante issue.”

Source: Myjoyonline.com

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This follows the declaration by the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, that the party will not be signing any peace declaration in the lead-up to the elections.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, August 14, Asiedu Nketia expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of peace pacts, citing the lack of tangible outcomes from similar agreements in the past.

“Signing a peace declaration doesn’t mean anything to the party, as previous pacts have not yielded any real results,” Asiedu Nketia stated.

In response, Reverend Ernest Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the National Peace Council, emphasised that the NDC’s decision not to sign a peace declaration does not necessarily signal a risk of violence.

“In the first place, I wouldn’t say that their refusal to sign the peace pact is a cause for violence. I believe these are just initial concerns, and as a Council focused on negotiation and mediation, we take them seriously. Our doors remain open for dialogue to understand and address the legitimate concerns raised by the NDC.”

He further explained that the Peace Council has established a platform for ongoing discussions with the NDC to explore the best path forward. “If the NDC has concerns, we are ready to listen. We have already arranged a meeting to hear their perspectives and work towards resolving these issues,” he added.

Source: Myjoyonline

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Reverend Dr Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the Council, emphasised that the current workload has stretched their resources thin, hindering their ability to effectively carry out essential functions.

Dr Gyamfi pointed out that the Council is facing numerous cases that require attention, underscoring the necessity for additional financial support to adequately handle election-related activities.

Specifically, he stated that approximately $1 million is required to bolster their capacity to prepare for and manage potential challenges surrounding the elections.

“For election-related activities in dollar terms, we need $1 million, some donors have come in trying to help,” he disclosed.

The National Peace Council plays a vital role in fostering a peaceful electoral process, mediating conflicts, and facilitating dialogue among political parties, among other responsibilities.

However, the increasing demands for overseeing elections and mitigating violence necessitate significant financial and human resources, which the Peace Council currently lacks.

Rev. Adu Gyamfi highlighted during an inter-party dialogue on mitigating election violence that some of their regional secretaries are overwhelmed by their workload.

“I think we need more funds; we need more staff; our regional secretaries are complaining that they are overburdened and are asking that we give them drivers which we don’t have now. There is the need for more resources and more personnel to do the work because the work is increasing,” he added.

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Dr Adu Gyamfi said mistrusts have often led to tension and considerable violence in every election since 1992.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee on the code of conduct on vigilantism and elections, Dr Adu Antwi said the issue of vigilantism that characterized the 2020 elections posed a severe threat to the country’s democracy.

“Since the fourth republic, all elections have been mounting tension and considerable violence. There is mistrust among stakeholders in the election management system. This is not healthy for our democracy,” he said on Wednesday.

He expressed hope that the newly inaugurated committee will ensure it does not recur in this year’s elections.

“Our objective as the foremost peace-building institution is to have a political environment that is characterised by consensus building and a political system that has the capacity to address differences at any time such differences arise.”

He added that the National Peace Council will use its trust-building platforms to reduce the trust deficit among political actors.

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The Council believes such involvement compromises the integrity of these institutions, leading to a decline in public confidence and potentially disrupting the nation’s peace.

During a Peace Dialogue with stakeholders in Accra on Tuesday, Ernest Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the National Peace Council, urged the public to support state institutions in fulfilling their roles to ensure peace.

He stressed the need for these institutions to remain unbiased.

“Last Sunday, the President of the Bar Association made a clear statement that politicians should not bring politics into our judicial system. Cases go to court. You either put up a good case or not. And if you lose a case, you don’t go to the media and start making noise. You know, get a good case.”

“We’ve had situations where the government has lost cases, haven’t we? We’ve had it. So if we’ve had those situations, why do we then think that every case that somebody loses is because somebody has paid somebody? So we keep getting all these things and it gives the judiciary bad publicity.”

“But I think that the institutions of peace and justice in this country must be protected and when I talk about [them] I talk about peace council, electoral commission, the judiciary.

“These institutions must be protected. The public must know that if we run these institutions down, there’ll be trouble. You know, these are things that everybody must be worried about once we see these things going on. And we think we need to rise and defend these institutions,” he stated.

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Chairman of the Council, Rev. Dr.  Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, emphasized the charge bestowed on ministers of the church to protect the peace and stability of the country. 

Speaking at this year’s Minister’s conference of the Ghana Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Adu-Gyamfi charged church leaders to harness their platforms to encourage cohesion among members of the Christian fraternity. 

“Every minister of the Gospel understands we have a responsibility to protect the peace, stability, and unity of our country. Whatever we do in this country, we maintain the peace and stability and cohesion of our country,” he said.

The 61^st Annual Refresher Course, Retreat and Business of the Ghana Baptist Ministers’ Conference was held on the theme: “Ministerial Ethics, Accountability and Responsibility in the 21^st Century Church”. 

Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi emphasized on the crucial role of the church in nation building.  

As a general election beckons, he noted the responsibility of the clergy in promoting peace and refraining from spiteful comments. 

“If 72% of us are Christians, then I expect that a lot of these people will be in the churches and therefore pastors have a responsibility through their pulpits to educate church members. Let’s avoid insults, cutting down people and things that reduce people to nothing. Be careful what you say and how you say it,” he said.

As a nation predominated by Christians, the Christian fraternity has been admonished to remain disciplined in the discharge of their duties. 

President of the Ghana Baptist Ministers Conference, Rev. Dr. Charles Owusu Ampofo, charged political leaders and the government to uphold the statutes of truthfulness and accountability. 

“We model political leaders. When things are not good we send them messages. Ghana belongs to all of us. It doesn’t belong to the incumbent or opposition. Public figures should be truthful to the work they do and keep faith to the citizens of this nation,” he said.

Adding to calls for a peaceful election, Guest speaker at the event, Irene Naa Torshie Addo-Lartey admonished actors in the elections to consider a collective win for the country through circumspection. 

“We must conduct ourselves to save the country and not break it. Ghana is the land of our birth. We don’t have any other country. We are surrounded by countries who are involved in coup d’etats, but God has preserved our country. We all should give peace a chance,” she said.

One of the key reforms proposed by the Council is a change to the way constituency-level election results are declared.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Midday News, the Chairman of the Council, Rev Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, stated that under the current system, the election results are declared at both the polling station and the constituency levels.

According to him, once the election results are declared at the constituency level, the Electoral Commission (EC) has a set time period in which to gazette the results, after which anyone who has an issue can file a case within 21 days.

He explained that even though the gazetting of the election results is the legal responsibility of the EC, the process is actually carried out by the Ghana Publishing Corporation.

“In the last election, even though the results were declared around the 8th, 9th, 10th, most of them had been declared. The election took place on the 22nd, which means that it was done 12 days after, and then whoever had the case had 21 days within that period to file the case.

“Then the respondent has about seven days to respond, and then they go through all kinds of things before. By the time the case itself was ready to be heard, it was already past two months.”

According to Rev Dr Adu-Gyamfi, as part of the major reforms, the current system allows for a returning officer to declare results at the constituency level, which should be considered final.

On constituency election petition cases, the Peace Council revealed they have reached an agreement with the Judiciary on measures to make sure these cases do not drag into court.

He stated that another reform was that no judge would have more than one case at a time in terms of parliamentary adjudication.

“So if there is a case in one court and another case comes up, then the case will be handed over to the next immediate high court that is closest to the constituency, and we came up with some formula between the first case and the next immediate. Assuming we have three cases, who will be the next person to handle those things? So that we remove the suspicion that the Chief Justice assigned the case to this person because the person has a political interest or whatever it is. So we have given out a certain formula to handle these things.”

“Assuming something happens in Madina constituency, then we are handling it in the high court in Madina. If there are two or more cases within that enclave, then the next case will be properly handed to the next court in Adenta, which is the closest. If there are two or more cases, let’s move it to Abokobi to ensure that no judge will have more than one case to handle to ensure that we get these things done as soon as practicable,” he said.

The Chairman explained that the goal of the proposed reforms is to ensure that any cases relating to the election results are resolved well before the next president is sworn into office on January 7.

“Regarding the proposed change of Election Day to an earlier date, the chairman agreed that an early election will afford the president-elect ample time to form a full government before taking office.

“So that on the 7th of January, the President is sworn in, parliament is sworn in and we have the full complement of people to work with, but we agree that this is necessary so that after this election, from next year, proposals on these things will start. So early next year, that proposal will come up so that by 2028, the election will be moved early, maybe to November so that we can have all these issues resolved before the 7th of December,” he said.

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Emphasising that Ghanaians are a unified people regardless of their religious affiliations, the NPC stresses the importance of preserving unity and harmony within the political landscape.

Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, National Chairman of the NPC said division along religious lines cannot be tolerated in Ghana’s political discourse.

In an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, April 5, Dr. Adu-Gyamfi urged politicians to exercise prudence in their statements and interactions with followers, highlighting the potentially harmful consequences such actions could have on the nation.

He asserts that politics should be centered on national development for all citizens, rather than serving the interests of specific groups within the nation.

“We want to remind the public that we have already issued a press release cautioning the whole public let’s avoid religion coming into our politics. I went to school initially with Muslim friends and I used to tell my colleagues on the peace council that I used to live in Asafo very close to the Alhamdiya Mosque and my mother’s landlord at the time was a Muslim and played with the kids and sometimes after playing we went to the mosque even though I didn’t know what they were doing. So we are friends and we have lived together.”

“So why are now creating this conflict amongst ourselves?,” he asked.

Meanwhile, the recent statement made by independent presidential aspirant, Alan Kyerematen, advocating for the election of a Christian leader has drawn criticism from both the NDC and NPP.

Addressing members of the Church of Pentecost Dr. Wyatt Assembly over the weekend, Mr. Kyerematen asserted, “As a predominantly Christian nation, it is our responsibility as Christians to elect a Christian leader, who embodies Christ-like qualities.”

However, this pronouncement has sparked disapproval from both major political parties, with critics arguing that such statements undermine the principles of religious freedom and inclusivity in governance.

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According to the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, the council is steadfast in its commitment to preventing any disruption to the country’s peace during the electoral period and beyond.

Dr. Adu-Gyamfi, speaking during an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Friday, April 5, revealed that the council initiated preparations for this year’s election as early as 2021.

This proactive approach, he explained, was informed by the lessons learned from the 2020 general elections and the imperative for a peaceful electoral process in 2024.

Furthermore, Dr. Adu-Gyamfi highlighted that all regional chairpersons of the National Peace Council have been tasked with specific responsibilities to contribute to the council’s efforts in ensuring peace during the electoral period.

“Our preparation for this year’s election began in 2021 and after the last election, the peace council conveyed a high-level meeting in Ada to evaluate whatever happened in the 2020 elections and out of that, a dialogue for four days, we were given a road map as to some of the things we needed to put in place before this election.”

He additionally mentioned that the NPC has appointed peace ambassadors for various communities and is collaborating with opinion leaders to ensure the goals are met.

Meanwhile, the Peace Council has urged the Ghanaian people not to allow religion to interfere with the nation’s politics.

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He stressed their role as a mediator and highlighted the significance of impartiality in addressing such sensitive issues.

In an interview with Accra-based TV3 on Sunday, March 3, Rev. Adu-Gyamfi reiterated the Council’s impartial stance, despite receiving inquiries from stakeholders on the matter.

“We don’t have a position on the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill because we are mediators, we don’t take sides on issues like this. There are several issues that have come to us that people expected us to take sides, but realised it was important to remain neutral when they later came for conflict resolution.”

“We are waiting to see how things will unfold,so we know whether to mediate or intervene in the event of a conflict,” he said.

On February 28, 2024, Parliament approved legislation criminalizing LGBTQ activities and prohibiting their promotion, advocacy, and funding.

The Bill if approved by President Akufo-Addo will prosecute individuals found guilty of such acts and could face imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 3 years, while those involved in promoting or financing such activities could be sentenced to 3 to 5 years in prison.

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Chairman of the Council, Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu Gyamfi said although the Bawku conflict has resurfaced, there has been a lot of engagement to ensure that it is resolved.

“The situation is becoming much more difficult but on our part, we have not given up. The Otumfuo committee is actively working. The Inter-Ethnic committee is also working and we hope that given a little bit more time, there might be some way to resolve the conflict,” he said.

He was speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on January 19, 2024.

Rev. Dr Gyamfi called on the public to support the security personnel rather than subject them to scrutiny, adding that this would give them the motivation to give their best in addressing the conflict.

“We need to support the military and the police to bring stability to the area. Sometimes, I think that an attack on the military and the police is wrong because if we lose them, then we don’t have anybody there to help us,”he said.

His comments follow the resurgence of the Bawku conflict with five individuals losing their lives within the past 48 hours.

Despite the tragic loss of lives, another incident unfolded as a bus transporting approximately 45 students from the Presbyterian Nurses Training College in Bawku was ambushed by two armed individuals on motorcycles near Binduri in the Upper East region on Friday.

A number of students who were injured due to the attack were been rushed to the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital for treatment.

According to information reaching JoyNews, the students who had just vacated were heading towards Bolgatanga when they were ambushed by the two men on motorbikes.

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In an interview on Citi News, the Executive Secretary, George Amoh, said the arrest of peaceful protestors is not healthy for the country’s democracy.

According to Mr Amoh, the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental human right that is essential for a healthy democracy,” the NPC said.

The NPC also called on the police to exercise restraint in dealing with protesters.

“Every Ghanaian has a right to demonstrate, it is a right that is enshrined in the Constitution that has to be protected and jealously guarded. If there is a group that wants to demonstrate in support of an activity or disagree with a particular thing, I think the laws allow for that and the authorities should ensure that such exercises are done within the remits of the law and those also exercising those rights must also respect [the law] but it is unfortunate that yesterday didn’t go that way.

Some had to be arrested which is not too healthy for our democracy. We need to create an environment for people to protest, both the institutions of the state, the Police and the citizens,” Mr Amoh said.

Mr Amoh also admonished the protesters to exercise restraint and not take the laws into their hands.

He added that, even though the protestors have a right to protest, they must do so in a peaceful and orderly manner.

The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests began on September 21, 2023, when a group of protesters gathered at the 37 bus terminal in Accra to march to the Jubilee House, the seat of the Ghanaian government.

The police dispersed the protestors and arrested 49 of them.

The protesters have vowed to continue their protests until the government addresses their grievances.

They said Ghana is facing a number of challenges, including economic hardship, rising inflation, and a high cost of living.

The organisers say their protest is a sign of the growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of these challenges.

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A delegation from the National Peace Council (NPC), led by His Eminence Numo Blafo Akotia Omaetu III, has held a meeting with the chiefs and elders of the Somey Traditional Area.

The meeting, chaired by the Paramount Chief of the Somey Traditional Area, Torgbi Adamah III, was to deliberate on the controversy which surrounded comments made by Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, founder of the Perez Chapel International, and find lasting solutions to the impasse.

The Archbishop during a summit at the Perez auditorium in Accra, described Nogokpo as the “demonic headquarters in the Volta region.”

His comments infuriated the people of Nogokpo and the larger Volta region, some of who took to various social media platforms to criticise the respected clergyman.

Subsequently, the chiefs and elders of the town issued a two-week ultimatum to the Archbishop to withdraw his comments and render an apology to the people.

The ultimatum has long elapsed.

Torgbi Adamah said after the meeting that both the Peace Council and the Somey Traditional Council had agreed to resolve the issue amicably.

“We have communicated our position to the Peace Council, and have tasked the council to communicate that to the Archbishop. The Somey Traditional Council is giving the Archbishop a week’s ultimatum to withdraw the controversial comment and render an unqualified apology to the people of Nogokpo, the Somey Traditional Area, and the Volta region as a whole,” he said.

Torgbi Adamah added that the Traditional Council had requested its lawyers to officially write to the Archbishop about the council’s decision.

He clarified that the week’s ultimatum would begin when the Archbishop officially receives the letter from the traditional council’s lawyers.

He stressed that should the Archbishop fail to heed the traditional council’s demand for an apology, “the Somey Traditional Council would advise itself accordingly.”

The Paramount Chief said that there has always been a negative perception of the people of the Volta region which makes Archbishop Ayginasare’s comments unwelcomed

“This should not have been an issue, but the fact that the people of the region have over the years been perceived as bad people, affecting our marriages to other tribes and job opportunities, the Archbishop should not have uttered those comments in the first place.

“He is a respected and experienced man of God who should be uniting people and not passing divisive comments. He must render an apology to bring this matter to rest – we are not happy with this at all.” Torgbi Adamah said.

Numo Blafo Akotia Omaetu III, showed appreciation to the Somey Traditional Council for the warm reception and understanding.

He assured of the Peace Council’s commitment to ensuring that the issue was resolved amicably in the interest of harmony and peaceful coexistence.

Some members of the Volta Regional Peace Council, including its Chairman, Rev. Seth Kwesi Mawutor, were present at the meeting.

According to the Council, it is working assiduously to ensure the country’s peace is maintained.

The Chairman of the Council, Reverend Ernest Adu Gyamfi, said his outfit is currently mediating close to 300 cases.

He, thus, lashed out at critics for their “unfair criticisms” of the Council.

“Consistently we are being told that the Peace Council is asleep, they only talk when there are elections. 

“Let me draw the attention of the public to the fact that, currently, there are 292 cases on the lap of the Peace Council across this country. Out of that, 112 are chieftaincy issues,” he said.

Reverend Adu Gyamfi added that members have sacrificed themselves for the peace of the country.

“The Council is not a paid job, there is nobody on the Council who is being paid a salary.

“They are eminent members who have sacrificed to serve their country,” he added.

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Meanwhile, the National Peace Council is set to meet the leadership of all political parties over the spate of intemperate language by political actors.

The Council said it was worried about the utterances of some political actors in recent times and that the meeting would reinforce the commitments made by the political parties towards maintaining peace ahead of the 2024 general election.

The council in a statement has urged the groups to commit to non-violent processes to resolve the impasse.

This comes on the back of a shooting incident in the early hours of Monday, December 27, 2021, which led to the loss of lives and property destruction at Bawku.

The statement, signed by the Chairman, Rev Dr Ernest Adu Gyamfi, has advised particularly, the leaders and youth of both sides to help resolve the issue.

It explained steps have also been initiated to engage stakeholders on the matter.

“The National Peace Council and other stakeholders in the Bawku peace process would like to further urge the parties to stop all acts of violence and commit to nonviolent ways of resolving their differences,” the statement read in parts.

Recounting past occurrences, the council noted dialogue has over the years been the best remedy in restoring calm to the area.

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“The National Peace Council has observed that between 2013 and 2017 when the parties used dialogue, they were able to resuscitate the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee, which was set up under the auspices of the National Peace Council to facilitate the peace process in Bawku.

“With these engagements and dialogues, the parties achieved a lot of successes facilitated by the BIEPC and we believe that with similar efforts, these successes can be sustained,” the statement added.

Read the full statement below:

The Council has also urged all and sundry to be circumspect in their comments and pronouncements on the matter.

The comment of the Council comes on the back of a statement from the Methodist Church which said it takes strong exception to a directive from the Ghana Education Service for Muslim students to partake in the Ramadan fasting.

The church argued the school’s rule on fasting is a long-standing one that is also non-religious and various renowned Muslim ladies in Ghana have passed through the school adhering to it.

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The Council, in the statement, signed by its Chairman, Rev Dr Ernest Adu Gyamfi, said they have initiated an intervention plan.

“The Council acknowledges and reaffirms the initiatives already underway by the religious leaders to resolve the matter and encourages the leadership of the Christian and the Muslim communities to call on their followers to remain calm as efforts to build on the time-tested peaceful co-existence among Christians and Muslims are made by the relevant authorities,” the statement urged.

The judgement for the NDC’s petition, which seeks to annul the Electoral Commission’s (EC)

presidential declaration, has been slated for March 4, and as such the Peace Council is calling for calm.

Pursuant to the declaration and enactment, the Peace Council, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Rev Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, is respectfully calling on all stakeholders involved to strictly adhere to the ruling of the Supreme Court.

Regardless of who wins or loses in the yet-to-be-delivered verdict, the Council appealed to all to refrain from activities that may directly or not encourage officials to disturb the peace of the country.

By that, they are appealing to the supporters of the two major political parties not to engage in activities that will mar the peace that the country is known for.

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“The National Peace Council concludes by calling on the Media, Social and Political Commentators and indeed all citizens, to be circumspect in their reports and discussions after the Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in order to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the State,” it said.

This follows the Minister’s admission on Monday that she fired gunshots at a voter registration centre in the Awutu-Senya East Constituency in the Central region.

Madam Koomson, who is also the Member of Parliament for Awutu-Senya East, said she took the firearm – which she refused to identify – to the registration centre to protect herself.

Rev Asante, speaking in an interview on Accra-based radio station, explained it was important for the President to take a keen interest in the issue.

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“If she doesn’t do that, the President must terminate her appointment. As far as I am concerned, there is no justification for what she did, especially as a lawmaker breaking the law,” he said.

He stressed Parliament must pursue the matter to the end, adding that her action had brought the House’s name into disrepute.

Mr Boadu, in an interview with Joy News said, the opposition’s decision was unfortunate.

“I’m disappointed in the NDC for opting not to append their signature to the roadmap provided by the peace council, that is very unfortunate but we (NPP) are committed to this process and will append our signature. We (NPP) will not take the peace we are enjoying for granted,” he said.

The NDC refused to sign the final roadmap and code of conduct document put together by the National Peace Council on the eradication of political party vigilantism in the country.

Mounting a defence for the party’s decision, a leading member of the NDC, Alex Segbefia, said not only is the ceremony to sign the document premature, but that the absence of other stakeholders to append their signatures to the document is also worrying.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) together with the National Peace Council agreed to draw a road map for the disbandment of political vigilantism following the violence that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-election in 2019.

The 31-page road map has what the parties need to do in the short, medium and long term to eradicate political vigilantism from Ghana’s political dispensation.

The National Peace Council in January 2020 revealed plans to issue two documents to supplement the Vigilantism and Offences Act (Act 999) passed by Parliament in 2019.

According to the Council, the documents, prepared with inputs from the various political parties, prevent and prescribe remedies to acts of vigilantism by members of political parties.

Speaking at the first anniversary to commemorate the violence that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election on Friday, Mr John Mahama emphasised Ghanaians were looking up to the Council for an impartial decisive direction.

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“The Council should not allow themselves to be derided in serving as a cosmetic veneer to make government look as though it is serious about tackling the matter of vigilantism,” he appealed.

 He added: “The Council must be quick to condemn the war drums government functionaries are sounding with the apparent approval of government ahead of the 2020 election.”

The former president stressed the Council have the sacred moral duty to advocate that the criminal elements that have infiltrated the security are removed so that their confidence in the people can be restored.

This, he believes, will enable Ghanaians go to the polls to elect the next president in an atmosphere that promotes free, fair and transparent elections

According to the Council, the documents, prepared with inputs from the various political parties, prevent and prescribe remedies to acts of vigilantism by members of political parties.

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The documents also provide guidelines to political activities in the country, particularly during election periods.  

Representative of the Council, George Amoh, addressing a stakeholder forum on the 2020 election in Accra on Wednesday, expressed the Council’s optimism of ridding the country of vigilantism with the road map provided for political parties in the two documents.

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He also revealed plans by the Council to revive its election response groups across the country to pick up and deal with early warning signs prior to and during elections.

The Peace Council said it had been in series of meetings with the political parties, mainly the two leading parties over modalities to address the vigilantism phenomenon in the country.