Akwatia: The Christian Council of Ghana, representing the collective voice of mainline Christian denominations, has called for peace, tranquillity, and godly conduct before, during, and after the Akwatia by-election.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Council, in a statement signed by Reverend Dr. Cyril Fayose, the General Secretary, implored all citizens, political actors, electoral officials, security personnel, and stakeholders to embrace the virtues of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect throughout the remaining campaign period and on election day. The Council referenced Psalm 34:14, 'Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it,' stating that this verse must serve as the foundation for tolerance in the build-up to the elections.
The Council also admonished that democracy thrived not in the cacophony of discord, but in the harmony of diverse voices united by a common love for the nation. 'With only four days remaining until the Akwatia parliamentary by-election scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the Christian Council of Ghana, a body with a strong presence across the nation, has issued this urgent and solemn statement.'
'As the nation stands on the threshold of this critical democratic exercise, triggered by the untimely demise of the Member of Parliament, Mr. Ernest Yaw Kumi, we are first and foremost Ghanaians, bound together by the sacred threads of our shared humanity and common destiny,' the statement read.
The Council acknowledged with deep concern the tensions that have necessitated the deployment of 5,000 security personnel to ensure the peaceful conduct of the by-election. 'We recognise that electoral contests, by their very nature, generate passion and fervour among supporters of various political persuasions,' the statement read.
However, it cautioned that as the election approached on September 2, such enthusiasm must never degenerate into violence, hatred, or actions that threaten the peace and stability for which Ghana has long been celebrated throughout the African continent and the world.
The Council specifically urged the political candidates, Mr. Bernard Bediako of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr. Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and their supporters to immediately cease any inflammatory rhetoric and conduct. It urged the parties to treat the remaining campaign hours with utmost dignity, focusing on issues rather than personalities, and avoiding any language that could incite violence or division.
The Council also urged the youth of Akwatia to resist any last-minute attempts to use them as instruments of violence or chaos. It advised them to remember that on Tuesday, September 2, they must exemplify the highest standards of conduct as future leaders of this nation.
Traditional and Opinion Leaders, the Council said, must use these critical remaining days to intensify their counsel for peace and guide their people towards constructive political engagement on election day.
According to the Council, the media must exercise extreme responsibility in these final hours, avoiding any sensationalism that could inflame tensions, while ensuring that citizens receive accurate and timely information about the electoral process. It also advised the security agencies to maintain the highest levels of professionalism and impartiality on Tuesday, protecting all citizens regardless of their political affiliations and justifying the confidence placed in the 5,000 officers deployed for this exercise.
'The Christian Council of Ghana wishes to remind all Ghanaians that our democracy is a precious gift that must be jealously guarded and preserved for future generations,' the statement read. The Council said the 'ballot box is the sacred altar upon which Ghanaians offer their democratic sacrifices - not through blood and violence, but through the peaceful expression of our collective will.
'As we approach Tuesday, September 2, let us remember the words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God' (Matthew 5:9). Let every citizen of Akwatia, regardless of political affiliation, strive to be an agent of peace and unity on election day and beyond,' the statement said.
The Council called upon all Christian faithful to join in urgent and fervent prayer between now and Tuesday for peaceful elections, asking Almighty God to grant wisdom to voters as they cast their ballots on September 2, integrity to all participants, and His divine protection over the entire electoral process.
The Christian Council of Ghana gravely admonished that this Tuesday, September 2, 2025, must serve as a testament to Ghana's democratic maturity and our unwavering commitment to peace. It charged every citizen to ensure that when the polls close on election day, the world will once again witness that Ghana remained a beacon of democratic excellence and peaceful coexistence in our beloved Africa.
The Christian Council of Ghana said it stood ready to support all legitimate efforts aimed at ensuring peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections on Tuesday and will be monitoring developments with keen interest and prayerful hearts as Akwatia goes to the polls.