A lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Dr. Festus Aubyn has given a background and suggested solutions to managing emerging snippets of conflict in Ghana following the November 7th 2016 elections.
Dr. Festus Aubyn made these observations during the maiden public lecture organized by Christian Service University College on Friday 28th April 2017 at the CSUC auditorium.
CSUC President, Prof. Sam Afrane welcomed invited guests, staff and students to the event. Prof Afrane explained the purpose of the Lecture was to enable CSUC as an academic institution of higher learning to contribute its quota to national cohesion through education of the community on issues such as this.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Aubyn explained that post election conflicts in Ghana are both physical and psychological and they are associated with transition in government.
Dr. Aubyn added that these conflicts manifest through acts of intimidation, death threats and physical assault among others. Dr. Aubyn attributed the causes largely to political patronage and politicization of the security forces.
He recommended solutions for managing these situations. They include government reform of aspects of the security framework to ensure the independence of the forces and review of the Presidential Transition Act.
He also suggested the implementation of social development programmes such as skills development to improve the socioeconomic circumstances of many vigilante groups as well as the prosecution of offenders.
President of policy tink-tank IMANI Ghana, Mr. Franklin Cudjoe, urged citizens to be moderate in their expectations of government as it executes its election promises. He urged them to strive to reconcile the cost and feasibility of programmes of government against available national resources.
Moderateor for the Lecture, a private legal practitioner and host of JOY FM’s ace programme Newsfile, Mr. Samson Lardy Anyeneni, also urged government and relevant stakeholders to execute justice in an even-handed manner to consolidate Ghana’s democracy.
Chairman for the occasion and former Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Adu Gyamfi urged all to be temperate because “if you lose an election, you don’t lose your head.”
The programme was patronized by media personnel in the Region, staff, students of CSUC and the general public.
