The National Council of Zongo Chiefs (NCZC), has convened a Forum of Zongo Chiefs to promote peaceful Elections 2020 in Ghana. The event was held on 11th November 2020 on the theme, “Peace, before, during, and after the 2020 general elections” at the premises of STAR Ghana Foundation in Accra. The purpose of the Forum was to create a platform for the Chiefs to deliberate on how they could ensure peaceful elections at the various Zongo Communities.
Chief Imoro Baba Issa, Public Relations Officer, NCZC said Ghanaians, especially the youth of the various political parties, must place the interest of Ghana above any others. He called on colleague Chiefs in the regions to send peace messages to their people and be at the forefront in calming down tensions should they arise.
“We must help Ghana keep its respected image and not destroy it. This election should not be a do or die affair,” he stated.
Executive Director of STAR Ghana Foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, said development cannot happen in the Zongos if there is no peace. He said STAR Ghana was counting on the chiefs to make 2020 a difference and make this a starting point. He said:
“It’s time we say no. We are no longer going to be used, but we want to raise our voices concerning issues that bring about development to our communities… We need jobs, health facilities, and development. Let us save our youth from being used to create trouble without getting anything, but we should work together to promote the development of our Zongo communities.”
Supt Abdul Rahim Hussein, in charge of Islamic Affairs at the Ghana Police Service, called on the Zongo Chiefs to support the Police by providing accurate and timely information to the Police. He entreated the Zongo Chiefs to see themselves as peace ambassadors.
STAR Ghana has supported almost 80 projects to the tune of approximately 6million US Dollars since 2012 towards promoting citizens’ actions to achieve credible, peaceful, inclusive and transparent election. With support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the European Union, the Foundation is supporting 28 organisations including working with Zongo Chiefs and Imams in the Zongos towards a credible, peaceful, inclusive, and transparent Elections 2020.
In attendance were Zongo Chiefs; representatives of CHRAJ; the Ghana Police Service; Youth Groups; and the Media.