The Flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party, Nana Ama Sarpong Kumankuma, has advised market women to promote peace before, during and after the upcoming December elections.
According to her women and children bear the brunt of political violence and instability hence the need for them to help maintain peace in the country.
She was speaking at the “Market Women for Peaceful Polls” event, organised by the Centre for Democracy and Socio-Economic Development (CDS Africa) in partnership with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Accra on Friday.
She urged women to be at the forefront and campaign against political tendencies that could trigger election violence and disturb the prevailing peace of the nation.
“When there is peace and harmony in the home, it transcend to the society as well, advise your husbands and children to stay away from hate speeches, insult and inflammatory statements that could infuriate their political opponents,” she said.
The flagbearer praised women for their important contributions and highlighted that women leaders help break down barriers to political participation, ensuring an inclusive process where women’s voices are heard.
“Women promote integrity and transparency, essential for building public trust in electoral systems, adding that their commitment to ethical standards serves as a model for democratic governance,” she added.
The Deputy Director of NCCE, Ms Joanna Ampomah Nkansah, indicated that women had unique and gifted characteristics, which they ought to demonstrate in the electioneering towards promoting tolerance as well as respect for divergent views and opinions in the political space.
She urged women to exercise their right to vote, stressing that their vote is a powerful tool for choosing the candidate they believe will best represent them.
The Advocacy and Public Engagement Officer of CDS Africa, Celestine Damoah, emphasised that women played a key role in promoting peace.
She explained that the initiative, “Market Women for Peaceful Polls”, was created to help prevent electoral violence in the upcoming December elections.