Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu launching the project with support from Samuel Zan Akologo, GeorgeAmo and Hajia Ayishetu Abdul Kadiri
The Forum for Actions on Inclusion, Transparency and Harmony (FAITH)
in Ghana Alliance has introduced a framework called “ETHICS against
vigilantism” which is aimed at educating and transforming ex-vigilantes and
linking them to cash for work project.
The project dubbed, “Educating, Training and Healing Individuals,
Community and Society (ETHICS),” is geared
towards the total eradication of vigilantism in Ghanaian politics, while
safeguarding our political environment.
FAITH platform is made up of various religious groups
and faith based organizations such as the Office of the National Chief Imam (ONCI),
the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Mission (AMM), the Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDAS), the
Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Ghana (FOMWAG) and the Christian
Mothers Association (CMA).
At the official launch of the ETHICS against
vigilantism project in Accra, the spokesperson of the National Chief Imam,
Sheikh Aremeyau Shaibu said
Vigilantism was something that we must fight with all our might and ensure that
young people in this country were treated with respect.
He said the youth must not be reduced from the top of their humanity
to become tools for visiting violence against political opponent and this
menace was something all must take seriously.
Speaking with ardor, he revealed that “We as religious people, also
want to partner with all civil society organizations who share those common
believes and values particularly in matters that has to do with the promotion
of peace in the country to curb this menace of vigilantism from our system.
“We Christians and Muslims in this country, by our sacred text, are
encouraged to care for the flock that we lead to guarantee their physical and
spiritual peace and security.”
Adding his voice, the Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana and
Coordinator of FAITH in Ghana Alliance, Smuel Zan Akologo, said as faith base
organizations, they thought the way young people were being used by some
political parties and individual politicians was quite disgraceful and
demeaning.
“We will intervene on the side of our youth by educating, training
and healing them against these undignified practices and abuses.
Adding, he said, “We will
also safeguard our political environment so that women and vulnerable persons
can feel safe to participate in the electoral processes by turning out to cast
their legitimate vote.”
The Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, George Amoh,
in an address said mistrust of state institutions like the police and the
Electoral Commission as well as unemployment of the youth were some of the
causes of vigilantism.
Head of programmes, Caritas Ghana, David Issaka, said FAITH would
organize a dialogue session between political parties and religious leaders on
vigilantism and they would support ex-vigilante members, educate them and take
them through psychological counsel before liking
them to an e-waste environmental project that would fetch them money.
Present for the launch included Hajia Ayishetu Abdul – Kadiri, chairperson FIATH in Ghana Alliance, Lucile Anan, Regional Director of NCCE, representatives of the various faith based organizations and others.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey
The post Interfaith Alliance Address Vigilantism appeared first on DailyGuide Network.
