Rev. Benjamin Grant, the Convenor of Ghana Ebutu, has urged the country to rethink the practice of having flagbearers sign peace accords ahead of elections. In his recent address, Rev. Grant highlighted the need to eliminate this practice, which he argues undermines the essence of Ghana’s democracy and constitution.
Rev. Grant pointed out that Ghana cannot claim to be a truly peaceful nation if fear and panic cloud its electoral processes.
He questioned the necessity of peace accords, which are often signed by presidential candidates to supposedly ensure the peaceful acceptance of election results.
According to him, this creates an impression that conflicts are inevitable if the accords are not signed.
Quoting the preamble of Ghana’s constitution, which enshrines principles of peace, justice, and stability, Rev. Grant emphasized that the signing of such agreements contradicts the core values of the nation’s legal framework. He noted that Ghana’s constitution affirms the “sovereign will of the people” and promotes “freedom, justice, and universal adult suffrage,” all of which, he believes, are undermined by the continued use of peace accords.
“This practice is an unnecessary intimidation tactic that undermines the confidence of the electorate and the integrity of our democratic processes,” Rev. Grant argued.
He called on the Peace Council to cease this practice and shift the focus towards strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing civic education, and ensuring transparency in the electoral process.
In conclusion, Rev. Grant’s message was clear: Ghana must move away from superficial agreements and instead build trust in its electoral system by adhering to the constitution and promoting a culture of fairness, accountability, and peace.
By: Ebenezer Madugu
