2020 ELECTIONS, MY ADVICE TO THE YOUTH OF GHANA

Most African countries have been affected by several conflicts due to elections. This has led to various civil wars which has dented and tarnished the image of the continent. Before and after the elections.

We must organize peaceful movements during and after the elections. Organizing such peaceful movements within the country greatly helps to promote peace. These bring people of different backgrounds, religions, tribes, and ethnicitie together and interact freely. Civil education is brought on board to teach people the importance of living in peace and harmony. Lots of education goes on and people get to learn lessons.
We must volunteer in community activities like, football matches, visiting the sick in hospitals, cleaning the towns, visiting children homes, visiting the elderly, among others to help promote unity. This is a great way of giving back to society and showing how much we love each other. Hence, it strengthens the relationship of people within the community and also promotes peace.

We must get involved in both local and national government meetings which are held within the country occasionally. This is where we ’re able to listen to our leaders and also express our views on matters affecting us. We get to send share our worries and needs with the leaders. This helps to create a bond between the government and the community and promotes peaceful co-existence within the community.

We must add our voice and make sure that the electoral commission (EC) is empowered with the resources and logistics for running a smooth electoral process. First of all the competing groups must have confidence in the EC and respect its mandate to run credible polls. Voter education and awareness must be deeply undertaken to avoid tension and frustration with the processes. The EC must fix all its machines and get all materials and logistics ready in abundance before embarking on the voting exercise.

Fellow young people, we have been down this road before. We have had controversial and heated elections in the past, and we have always shown the world that indeed our democracy has come of age. We may have our disagreement but the top interest and love for Ghana should not only be our commandment but our prime concern. Please do not let politicians and violent extremist use you.

BY. KENNETH OWUSU