“We note with great concern the acts of politically orchestrated violence that took place in some parts of the country during the just ended voter registration exercise,” the Bishops told the Head of State during the September 4 meeting.
They highlighted the “disturbing action” of the Special Development Initiatives Minister and Member of Parliament for Awutu-Senya East Constituency in the Central Region, Mrs. Mavis Hawa Koomson, “who admitted to firing a gun at a polling station in self-defense.”
“While we allow the police to do their work, we are of the view that the government should not have been silent on the unfortunate incident so as not to send any wrong signal to the general public,” the Bishops told the President.
They also reiterated their earlier call on political actors in the country “to ensure decorum and courtesy to their political opponents in how they present themselves before the citizens.”
“There is no need to denigrate, debase and dehumanize others to justify your own ability to perform,” they said of the political actors and encouraged President Akufo-Addo “to ensure that those who speak, advocate and campaign for you, commit to respecting your own values and etiquette.”
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The Prelates also want the President to address the issue of corporate sector responsibility and accountability, which they noted, “remain an important governance issue in Ghana and the whole of Africa.”
They urged the President that as his government continues to promote the private sector as the engine of growth, he should also “ensure that they are also properly regulated and held accountable for the benefit of citizens.”
In the context of corporate accountability, they made reference to the recent clean up by the Bank of Ghana, which involved the revocation of licenses of nine financial institutions, noting that many Ghanaians are concerned about their investments and savings.
“It will be in the interest of everybody to have these matters resolved speedily and transparently,” the Bishops in Ghana told the President in reference to the recent the Bank of Ghana issue.
They assured President Akufo-Addo of their “commitment in playing our part, as Shepherds, for the development of our dear Country, Ghana.”
“May the Good Lord grant you all that it takes in the discharge of your duties as the Father of our nation,” the members of GCBC told the Head of State during their meeting.