Civil society in Ghana has mobilised in large numbers to ensure that the 7th December elections will be fair and peaceful. Faith-based organisations, local NGOs, women’s groups, artists, sportspeople, and prominent Ghanaians have stood up to promote peace and solidarity in Ghana. This popular peace movement is not partisan and does not carry political messages – it is a celebration of democracy.

The Embassy of Denmark supports the work of the Christian Council of Ghana and the Office of the National Chief Imam. Together they are currently implementing the Interfaith Sensitisation Programme on Peace, where they reach out to the Ghanaian youth via different activities such as community/interfaith dialogues and Peace Walks. Dialogues and walks have been organised across five regions, including in Kumasi, Aflao, Wa, Bimbila, Tamale and Accra.

On Saturday 5th November, the Danish Ambassador, Tove Degnbol, and her husband Lars joined the Peace Walk in Tamale. The Peace Walk was a clear manifestation of the success of the preceding dialogues in the area – Several hundred young people had been reached through the dialogues and many of these chose to express their commitment to peace by showing up at 6 a.m. for the Peace Walk through Tamale. The atmosphere was very optimistic and key speakers at the event emphasised inclusiveness, solidarity and understanding: Christian participants said Muslim prayers and Muslims ‘praised the Lord’; the Regional Police Commissioner held a speech, urging everyone to avoid violent confrontations; participants wore t-shirts with both Christian and Muslim logos; and participants wearing NDC and NPP colours together.

In her speech after the walk, the Danish Ambassador commended the mutual understanding exhibited by the different faiths in Ghana, a situation that has ensured persons of various religious backgrounds are able to live peacefully within communities. She expressed optimism that religious cohesion and harmony prevalent in Ghanaian society shall be a major contributory factor to sustaining peace before, during, and after the elections. And she urged all youth members of the political parties to stay faithful to the promise of saying ‘YES TO PEACE’.

There will be a similar Peace Walk in Accra on the 26th November starting at 6 a.m. from Afrikiko near Flagstaff House.