The Catholic Bishops Conference has expressed worry over the building political tension in the country ahead of the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
It follows reactions to comments by Agric Minister, Bryan Acheampong over the weekend declaring that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will use all means possible to win the elections.
Similarly, Deputy National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications officer, Maleek Basintale responded with a comment also thought to be intemperate.
But President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. Mathew Gyamfi, speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Tuesday, condemned these actions.
“We are very concerned because when tensions build up and it is not controlled, then, ultimately it explodes and we all suffer,” he said.
According to him, this development is worrying since the two leading political parties – NPP, NDC – boycotted peace talks initiated by the conference ahead of the elections.
“We invited them but they did not show up for the meeting. What I am saying is that they should respect Ghanaians and realise that we are smart and intelligent enough… why is it that you want to lead and you are asking us to vote for you and you use language to incite us so that in case you win or lose, you cause us to harm ourselves?”
“Why is it that during every election time there is tension? And you destroy the peace of the entire country making us anxious?” he asked.
Rev. Gyamfi noted that the Catholic Church is educating people at the grassroots level not to respond to the inflammatory language of political actors to avoid being used as a tool to cause violence.
Source: Myjoyonline
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