Mr. Vincent Agyamide
Idambituo, Chairperson of the Democratic Republic of Congo Electoral
Commission, has commended Ghanaians for the peaceful manner in which they
conducted themselves during elections held in the country.
He made the commendation
on Monday when he together with about 30 delegates from D.R. Congo called on
the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) ahead of a five-day study tour of
the Ghana electoral system and how the religious organisations partnered with
other institutions to contribute to peaceful elections.
He expressed gratitude to
the GCBC for the warm reception, and thanked the Ghanaians for praying for the
D.R. Congo, urging them to continue praying for them at this critical moment.
Commenting on the purpose
of their visit, Mr. Idambituo noted that they were in the country to learn the
Ghanaian experience and build their capacity in order to organise peaceful
elections, as well as prevent electoral conflicts.
Most Rev. Philip Naameh,
President of the Bishops Conference, who shared words of solidarity with the
people of Congo, in connection with the recent development, expressed concern
about the distress situation in that country, adding that the Church was
praying for calm and peaceful elections.
The Prelate touched on
the involvement of the Church in political reforms since Ghana’s independence
and highlighted the interfaith collaboration between the Catholic Church,
Christian Council of Ghana and other faith groups, which has contributed to
peace building efforts in the country.
He said the GCBC has made
it a civic responsibility to participate in the fourth Republic to champion the
peace and talk on pertinent national issues.
During the 2016,
Archbishop Naameh, who is also the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale, where 84
percent of the constituent were Muslims, shared his strategy in meeting Muslim
leaders in the Metropolis in order to present a common message for their
various constituent during the period. He added that this has contributed to
reduce the hiccups that was associated to the area in the past.
Most Rev. Charles G.
Palmer-Buckle, Vice President of the GCBC, in his remark advised the delegates
to adapt the Ghanaian experience to what pertained in Congo, entreating them to
demonstrate maturity and exercise patience in their efforts to work together to
bring peace in Congo.
The Archbishop citing
Ghanaian interreligious efforts, which he said was over 40 years, urged the
religious groups in Congo to speak with one voice on national issues.
Stating that “there has
never been any election without electoral challenges” Archbishop Palmer-Buckle
stressed the need to work together in harmony, and be prepared to mediate when
electoral challenges arose.
Mr. Samuel Zan Akologo,
Executive Secretary of the Department of Human Development and Caritas Ghana,
at the NCS, gave an overview on the Involvement of Religious Leaders in Elections in Ghana,
highlighting the monitoring and observation for validation of outcomes by
respective faith groups since 1992.
Other
areas involvement he touched on, included advocacy and Promotion of Electoral
Reforms, and Voter Education for Compliance of Electoral Processes and Voter
Conduct as well as their efforts in mediation, and dialogue.
The Executive Secretary
sharing lessons learnt and best practices from an interfaith cooperation in the
involvement of faith groups in elections, noted the transformation of religious
differences and experiences for social cohesion and democratic governance.
elections engagements in Ghana.
Similarly, Very Rev. Fr.
Clemet Adjei, Director of the Directorate of Governance, Justice and Peace,
shared the Church’s mandate in civic education of the electorate on electoral
rules, monitoring of election and the promotion of justice and peace before,
during and after elections.
He said the Church
collaborates with the National Commission of Civic Education and the Electoral
Commission to bring understanding of electoral rules and the electorates right
and responsibilities.
Beside, Fr Adjei touched
on the Church’s role in training 150000 election observers, who participated in
monitoring Ghana’s 2016 General elections.
Very Rev. Dr. Kwabena
Opuni Frempong, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, noted that
in accepting the request from the Congolese Council of Churches to undertake a
study tour in Ghana, the Council thought of all the partners they worked with
including the Catholic Church.
He explained that the
mutual respect that exist among the religious groups, who speak with one voice
on national issues and in elections in the country, was so because they have
presented themselves as institutions of calm.
As part of the itinerary
of the delegation, Dr. Opuni-Frempong noted that they will meet former
Presidents Jerry John Rawlings, John Agykum Kufour and John Dramani Mahama as
well as pay visit the National Chief Imam, the Electoral Commission and the
National Peace Council.
They delegate comprising
religious leaders of Christian and Muslims sects, were schedule to visit the
Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and interact with the media before leaving.
Present at receive the
delates were Most Revs. Joseph Osei-Bonsu, Bishop of Konongo-Manpong Diocese
and former President of the Bishops’ Conference, Peter Paul Angkyier, Bishop of
Damongo Diocese and Vey Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, Secretary General of the
National Catholic Secretariat (NCS).
Others were Rev. Frs.
Wisdom Larweh, Assistant Secretary General, Dieu-Donne Davor, Executive
Secretary of the Department of the Social Communication, Mr. Francis Koku,
Parliamentary Liaison at the NCS.
