The Ashanti Regional Peace Council chairman, Rt. Rev Christopher Nyarko Andam says it is providing early warning systems, which is the conduit for dialogues as means for response with the two major political parties in Ghana – that is the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to ensure peace in the upcoming general elections.

He stated that political and electoral violence is one of the greatest threats to a peaceful democratic Nation therefore if awareness is not created through the new laws which forbid vigilantism, Ghana’s democracy would be distracted in the near future.

“Our beloved country, Ghana is the first country to have legislation on National Peace Council Act 2011 (Act 818) that establish council with the mandate and objective to develop and facilitate mechanism for conflict prevention, conflict management, conflict resolution and also to build sustainable peace for our dear nation. This has given every Ghanaian the responsibility to preserve the peace and become its ambassador," he said.

“As part of its functions, it is the duty of the council to harmonize and coordinate conflict prevention, conflict management, conflict resolution and also build sustainable peace through networking and coordination," he added.

In a two-day advocacy workshop on vigilantism and related offenses Act, Roadmap, and the code of conduct for the eradication of political vigilantism in Ghana in the capital of the Ashanti Region, Rt. Rev. Andam spoke on the need to facilitate the implementation of agreements and resolutions between parties in conflict.

He informed that Ghana’s democracy must not be endangered through political power but must be preserved through suggestions on unfriendly actions to promote trust and confidence between political parties.

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“Political and electoral violence has become one of the most disturbing problems that many societies are facing today ad it has become a threat to peace in our democratic development.

“Ghana over the years has grown to be a beacon of hope as far as democracy on the continent is concerned. Since 1992, Ghana has engaged in electoral competitions which have resulted in uninterrupted transfer of power sometimes from the incumbent government or party to the opposition.

"In spite of this development the future of Ghana’s democracy remains uncertain sometimes as it continues to gravel persistent and multiple challenges that threatens the peace and security been enjoyed by Ghanaians.

"Perhaps the most insidious of these challenges is phenomenal of political vigilantism and election debated violence, which invariably, accompanies all national elections in Ghana," he said.

He revealed that the National Peace Council has been active during the new Voters registration exercise providing solutions to a few challenges addressing that, loopholes identified during the exercise are been resolved to prevent occurring in the general elections.

He told that the Council will sit with the government and recommend a few things to help maintain peace in the country.

“We have been monitoring the national exercises in certain areas, which are hotspots in order to ensure peace with appropriate measures. We try to mediate the feuding parties to bring them together since they have followers and failure to do so easily creates chaos among members.

“The new registration has brought our attention to a few loopholes which might have occurred during the general election selections.

“The electoral commission is a separate body backed by the constitution of Ghana with the mandate over the electoral process. We have advised them and have witnessed that they are coping with the guide. Let’s all support them especially in the elections for we believe that Ghana will witness another serene appointment come December 7.”