The National Peace Council has commended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the decision to resume their participation in Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings.
It will be recalled that after the 2020 elections, the NDC decided not to attend IPAC meetings organised by the Electoral Commission of following concerns unfairness by the election management body.
But on December 14, 2023, during a stock-taking conference organised by the Peace Council at Peduase, as part of the preparations towards the 2024 elections, the NDC responded to the appeal of the Council by publicly committing to return to the IPAC.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 31, the National Peace Council applauded the leading opposition party for heeding to its appeal to return to meetings of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee.
“We would like to express our appreciation to the Electoral Commission, Political Parties, all Political Actors and Stakeholders within the electoral management system for their support to the NPC in the bid to promote sustainable peace in Ghana.
“We urge all stakeholders in the political space to use dialogue and consensus building to ensure a free, fair, credible, and peaceful 2024 elections,” the Council appealed.
The statement urges the public to appreciate that “peacebuilding can sometimes be a slow process and, therefore, it is a must for all to exercise patience and support the NPC and its partners in building a sustainable peaceful country.”
Read the full statement below:
FOR IMMDEIATE RELEASE
The National Peace Council (NPC) would like to commend the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for heeding its appeal to return to the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).
It will be recalled that after the 2020 elections, the National Democratic Congress decided not to attend the Inter Party Advisory Committee meetings. This became a matter of concern to all Stakeholders in Ghana’s democratic and elections space.
At a Post-Elections Stakeholders’ workshop organized by the National Peace Council at Ada in 2021, the participants tasked the National Peace Council to facilitate the return of the NDC to IPAC. The NPC therefore engaged the NDC, E.C and several other stakeholders to facilitate the
NDC’s return to IPAC.
On 14th December 2023, during a Stock-taking conference, organized by the National Peace Council at Peduase, as part of the preparations towards the 2024 elections, the National Democratic Congress responded to the appeal of the National Peace Council by publicly committing to return to Inter Party Advisory Committee.
Pursuant to this commitment, the NDC has participated in two recent IPAC meetings on 22nd and 29th January 2024. We are hopeful that the commitment made will be sustained to further strengthen the existing democratic credentials of Ghana.
We would like to express our appreciation to the Electoral Commission, Political Parties, all Political Actors, and Stakeholders within the electoral management system for their support to the NPC in the bid to promote sustainable peace in Ghana. We urge all stakeholders in the political space to use dialogue and consensus building to ensure a free, fair, credible, and peaceful 2024 elections.
In addition, we urge the public to appreciate the fact that peacebuilding can sometimes be a slow process. Therefore, we must all exercise patience and support the NPC and its partners in building a sustainable, peaceful country.
May the Lord bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.
Signed:
Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi
Chairman
Dated: 31st January, 2024
