Ghana’s Eligible Christians “should actively participate” in Dec. Polls: Catholic Bishops

“We need to eschew the vote-buying syndrome and vote according to our conscience,” they say in the pastoral letter that GCBC President, Bishop Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi of the Diocese of Sunyani, signed. 

They go on to urge the people of God in Ghana to engage the digital media “in a more positive and better way.”

Digital devices, they caution, “are not to be used to fuel hate and violent speeches.” 

“Violence is the antithesis of peace and it prides itself on the sword. Jesus tells us: ‘For all who take the sword will perish by the sword,’” the Catholic Church leaders say, referring to Matthew 26:52.

They explain, “Today, the sword can take the form of multiple registration, multiple voting, vigilantism, ‘macho’ men who intimidate, using the digital media to write and propagate damaging things.”

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GCBC members appeal to Ghanaians to work towards promoting peace, saying, “As we go to the polls this year, let all work harder than ever to shelve our swords of hatred, anger, bitterness, quarrels, and killings, and reach out to each other in peace.”

“It should be noted that the violent show of passion obstructs peace and makes harmony a difficult thing to achieve,” they note.

To foster peace during the electioneering people, GCBC members urge Ghana’s President and security agencies “to provide the necessary and conducive environment devoid of fear, intimidation and hooliganism.”

“The security agencies should be on top of the situation by being tactful and practical to prevent electoral insecurity,’ they say, and call upon officials of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) “to remain an unbiased umpire in order to restore confidence in the electoral system.”

“We urge the EC to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections by paying attention to the concerns raised by citizens and some political parties on some of their reforms regarding the forthcoming elections, particularly, on the use of the indelible ink,” they say. 

The Catholic Church leaders appeal to political parties and their members “to continue to use the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) sessions to engage the EC on their grievances.”

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.