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On National Peace Council, Religious Leaders and CSOs!
The current national peace council executives were just recently sworn in. The executive secretary is new the chairperson is just a few months in post. The first question is why was their appointment delayed till this time? The NPC chair is not responsible for what his predecessor said and did. It is unfair not to give him the opportunity to work just because of past experiences with certain people in the council. I know that in such times people do not make a distinction between a person’s opinion and a position of the organization. NDC has acused the Peace Council of being in bed with NPP because the Peace Council did not comment on certain national issues. I do not hold brief for the NPC but this is a constitutional body whose official mandate is to play a mediator role. This is the time for them to play that role, at least as a convener and a moderator of a dialogue process where “credible” citizens are invited to leader the process with the EC participating as a party to the dispute. The NPC has the mandate to convene such dialogue processes and ensure all are given a fair hearing. If after that facilitated dialogue process parties feel justice has not been done then there is a justification for going to court. Why go to court only for the court to order you to go back for dialogue? The EC is not an authority unto itself. Being an independent institution does not mean you cannot be called to account.
Here is my take: let us give the NPC the chance to convene a meeting between the parties, let them check their records and they will see the people who facilitated these dialogues in the previous cases and bring them on board. Rome is not far. Cardinal Turkson can be invited to come down. Mr. Bombande is around. He is a professional who has been in these processes since 2008.
Religious leaders: Say whatever you want about religious leaders they have a constituency and they have influence. They can bring down any government in days. These religious institutions are headed by Ghanaian who are human and can make mistakes, but that does not take away from the role religious leaders can play. Calling them names, insulting them and saying all manner of things will not help any body. We need them at the table to help find a way out. It is interesting that the very people who tell religious leaders to stay out of politics when they speak truth to power are the very people who turn around and accuse religious leaders of not speaking truth to power when it is in their interest you cannot eat you cake and have it.
CSOs: some politicians have formed CSOs and NGOs as a business! You and I know that. But there are also CSO leaders who have transitioned to politics, a legitimate right. That does not make the CSO a political tool. CSOs have contributed enormously to the development of this country they have contributed to the political develop of this country and today they are no good because they are not fighting your course! They have a role in nation building and in peace building.
Here is my take: at this point in time we need every one on board. Let us put our heads together and seek a way forward.
NDC/NPP: the value is the same. Let me remind you that we the people gave you the power, you are not authorities unto yourself. Many of us discerning Ghanaians not that you are in this for the party and not for GHANA. Your voting records in parliament shows, your spending patterns during elections shows. You only need to look at the bill boards and you can tell the party in power. Your words have come back to hunt you. As you go on the media and incite people and speak with such arrogance and pride know that you will not be there forever. One day you will come back and be with us and we shall ask you questions. We the people voted for you to move this country forward some of you have enriched yourselves and flaunt your ilgotten wealth with impunity. You have made elections a do and die matter. You have used and continue to use vulnerable youth to do you dirty work for you, promising them non existent jobs. You have push unqualified young people into the security services in the name of jobs and now you have the nerve to call the security services on professional?
Have you ever heard of violent extremism? Well you have prepared the groups for people with extremists views to recruit and train young people and arm them. Today they are your security, tomorrow when you can no longer afford and you dump them into the system we shall all suffer the consequences.
Here is my take stop blaming people. Your difference isin who has power and who has not and what you do with that power, posterity will judge you but for now let us work together for peace.
By Rev. Fr. Clement Aapengnuo Mweyang (PhD)
The Writer is a Roman Catholic Priest and a Conflict Resolution Expert. He’s the Executive Director of Centre for Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies (CECOTAPS), Damongo Diocese, West Gonja Municipality, Ghana.
