The Ashanti Regional Election Early Warning and Response Group (REEWARG) has expressed worry at what it describes as “vilifying campaign” tactics adopted by some politicians to denigrate their opponents.
The Group says the trend, if not immediately stopped, could degenerate into reprisal attacks and violence.
Ghanaians will go to the polls in December to elect a President and Members of Parliament to serve for four years.
But even before polling day, the country has recorded some pockets of political violence and clashes among supporters of the two major political parties: National Democratic Congress and New Patriotic Party.
The situation has led to calls for tolerance in election campaigning to maintain the peace.
REEWARG at a press conference in Kumasi enjoined politicians to refrain from personality attacks in their campaigns.
“Ashanti REEWARG would like to express grave concern about the worrying phenomenon of the vilifying campaign modes adopted by political actors bent on scoring high political points through denigrating their political opponents.
“The discordant and heavily polarized political climate poisoned by such a campaign trail, if not checked, would be a recipe for conflict”.
The group also spoke against chiefs engaging in active party politics.
This, they say, is against the Chieftaincy Act.
Ashanti REEWARG again condemned the practice of civil servants, especially chief executives of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies contesting parliamentary seats whilst in office.
Spokesperson of REEWARG Father Osei Opoku said the law must be enforced to compel civil servants to resign and vacate their positions before they even declare their bids.
He tasked the media to guard against reports that could incite the public to violence.
REEWARG is an appendage of the National Peace Council formed to identify early warning signals of election violence in the communities.
The intent is to provide instant antidotes to forestall violence as part of national peace efforts.
Sign up for Ghana Star News to receive daily email alerts of breaking news in Ghana. GhanaStar.com is your source for all Ghana News. Get the latest Ghana news, breaking news, sports, politics, entertainment and more about Ghana, Africa and beyond.