The Leadership of Ghana's Christian Council have descended heavily on the Minister of Special Development Initiatives, Mavis Hawa Koomson for firing a gunshots during an exercise at a voter registration centre in the Awutu Senya East Constituency of the Central Region.
According to the Christian Council, such high-profile incidents should not be countenanced by the country's state security.
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In a statement issued by the Eminent Persons Group of Religious Leaders and signed by its Chairman, Rt. Rev. Prof. J.O.Y. Mante, it said "The Council had qualms about the admission of the state minister to the incident, “even though contrary to several eyewitness accounts, there were some other armed persons present with her who fired the shots”
The Chairman who doubles as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana added that acts or threats of coercion, intimidation or physical harm perpetrated to affect the electoral process, all in the context of electoral competition, should have no place in these worrying times with COVID-19 hanging over us.
The Christian Council further added that violence by powerful incumbents like the minister, should be totally condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians.
Stressing its points, the Council said “Addressing the current situation involving Hawa Koomson will assure confidence and trust in our society and the security ahead of the 2020 elections”, adding that: “Pre-election violence itself, can damage the credibility of elections as much as flawed elections may spark violence”
It is emerging that the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has called for the resignation of Madam Hawa Koomson adding that she is “no longer tenable” to hold office.
The GPCC also challenged President Akufo-Addo to sack the Minister stressing that it will serve as a deterrent to others.
President of GPCC, Rev Prof Paul Frimpong-Manso said "We have followed the incident with great concern and more worrying is the involvement of the Member of Parliament for the area. The Ghana Police Service not to relent in their efforts in bringing all perpetrators of the shooting incident, including the Minister to book by ensuring that justice and fair play is manifestly seen to be done in this matter”
The Council tasked the Ghana Police Service to act in its capacity deal with crimes of such nature without fear or favour.
“Ghanaians, especially aggrieved individuals and parties at every stage of the electoral process, to resort to the time tested electoral laws and conflict resolution mechanisms and institutions to resolve. It pays to use non-violent means to resolve our differences than the violent approaches, which could deprive us of our liberties, relations and even our lives" GPCC said.
It urged the youth to channel their energies, talents and skills into very productive endeavours and refuse to be used by unpatriotic politicians for their greedy parochial interests saying “today and the future belongs to you so jealously guard it!”
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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