The Ghana chapter of the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council of the Africa Union (ECOSOCC) has urged all political parties in Ghana not to engage in any activities that could threaten the peace and stability that the country has enjoyed as it prepares to go for elections in December.
Ghana’s Representative to the third General Assembly of the AU ECOSOCC, Stephen Caleb Opuni, stated, ‘Ghana has done lots in the past to ensure peace and security [are] sustained. Having conducted seven elections since the commencement of the 4th Republic, the country has come of age to resolve every political disagreement without having to compromise the peace, security, and harmony that [have] kept the country together. The recent debate on whether the country needs a new voter’s register can be resolved through sustained dialogue and consensus-building and should these avenues fail, the matter could be brought to the Supreme Court to determine its merit or otherwise’.
Speaking on the activities marking the Africa Day celebrations in Ghana on 25 May with the theme, ‘Silencing of the Gun: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development’, Opuni noted, ‘Peace and security continue to be a major challenge for most African countries. Until nations across the continent are able to address issues that affect the peace and security, Africa cannot be seen to be a competitive place for foreign direct investment (FDI) and doing business. As a continent endowed with almost natural resources and a population full of young and energetic people, the continent has the potential to create employment and enhance the livelihood of the people’.
Another Ghanaian Representative to the third General Assembly of the AU ECOSOCC, Appiah Adomako, urged civil societies across the continent to take interest in the Africa integration process by ensuring that African leaders show full commitment to treaties and protocols. He added that majority of the people feel removed and disconnected from the continent when it comes to consumption since nations do not trade among themselves. Nations cannot trade freely under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) if guns are not silenced. Without peace and security, land borders will not be opened to allow for goods and people to move freely across the continent.
ECOSOCC was established in July 2004 as an advisory organ composed of different social and professional groups of AU Member States. The purpose of ECOSOCC is to provide an opportunity for African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to play an active role in contributing to the AU’s principles, policies, and programmes. ECOSOCC’s functions include contributing, through advice, to the effective translation of the AU’s objectives, principles, and policies into concrete programmes, evaluating those programmes, undertaking studies and making recommendations as well as fostering and consolidating partnerships between the AU and CSOs.
Source: Modern Ghana
Photo source: Ekaterina Didkovskaya
