For Immediate Release
22/01/2020
It is with deep sorrow that the state Ghana, who has come this far in her democratic experiment, has to lose a soul in its attempt to elect its President and Members of Parliament. For us, we neither see this development as ordinary nor one whose far-reaching implications can be under-emphasized because we believe that every single life matters in any nation building.
It would be recalled that the 2020 elections were marred with a lot of incidents of shooting that sadly caused us eight (8) lives. Whilst we ‘Ghanaian Women in Politics, (GhWIP) extend our hearty condolences to the families of the victims, we in that same spirit condemn the unfortunate events in all of its forms. Importantly, we would wish to use this occasion to appeal to the President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo to call for a national mourning and solemn recognition for these gallant heroes who lost their lives in their attempts to ensure the integrity of our democracy is preserved and protected.
As mothers and women with not just sympathy but also objectivity, we can imagine and feel the pain of the bereaved families and, for that reason, cannot just sit unconcerned. Given the background and circumstances, we find it a great duty to call for a peaceful, solemn vigil in honor of the departed souls. We also equally consider this exercise if heeded to an opportunity for the entire country to appease, heal and sympathize with the bereaved families and as well, pay our very last respect to the dead. Also, we wish to extend a plea to the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to take up this matter up as one of a national interest as we believe it would accord the incident the respect and seriousness it deserves.
As we may all know, death indeed is inevitable, however, the manner in which one leaves is one that must be of grave concern to all. In our pleadings, we further ask the Judiciary to kindly consider our requests as extended to the Presidency, Government, Parliament of Ghana, and the entire Ghanaian people to also show solidarity and great concern. We are of the firm belief that a minute of silence from the various arms of Government will cause us to unite as one people, and one nation aspiring for the common good of the mass of our people.
In furtherance of our democratic practice, The GhWIP will wish that in the future, institutions of state are enjoined to ensure a violent free election. We again call on the arms of government to work in unison to establish a committee to investigate the cause of the shootings during the polls to the later to serve justice to the bereaved families as such occurrences have rendered some childless whilst others widowed. This, we believe, will be a panacea for eliminating such behaviors in our political landscape.
We additionally plead for stiffer and tighter measures in our security institutions to prevent such happenings in our political space; for our road to democracy must not be about the survival of the fittest, rather an open gate for free expression of one’s franchise. The GhWIP believes in a peaceful and a prosperous Ghana that every citizen will live without fear and intimidation. As noble women of principles, we believe in the respect for the rule of law and the principles of liberty.
The nation Ghana must not dent her image in allowing her citizens to decide who must lead them, especially when it is widely known and recognized as a pacesetter for many African countries regarding the preservation of the rights of our people. The GhWIP would want to take this opportunity to mourn with the bereaved families and assure them of getting justice for their loss.
May the departed souls rest in power.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation strong.
Long live GhWIP
Long live Ghana
Aluta Continua!
Samira Regina Mbilla Akunkel
President- 0244573201
Nadia Alhassan iv
Vice President-0242222722
Bintu Saana
Secretary: 0243378178