2 FIRE OFFICERS TO START PEACE WALK (PAGE 20)

TWO fire officers from the Western Regional Command of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) will embark on “2008 Election Peaceful Walk” throughout the country to spread the message of peace before, during and after the December 7 general election.
Fireman John Dominic Dadzie, who is the main walker, is being supported by Station Officer Joseph C. Ampiah and will begin the walk on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from Wa in the Upper West Region through Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region to Tamale in the Northern Region to end the northern sector walk.
The Brong Ahafo, Ashanti and the Western regions will follow suit respectively while the walker will pass through the Central Region up to Agona Swedru, enter the Eastern and Volta regions and finally end up in Accra at the offices of the Electoral Commission in the Greater Accra Region on November 28, 2008.
Speaking at a press briefing on the peace walk at the regional headquarters of the GNFS, the Western Regional Commander of the service, Nana Ekow Abban, explained that the regional security task forces were taking the initiative to spread the message of peace before, during and after the general election.
"We believe that should there be any adversity, the security task forces may be called upon and it is in this purview that we are taking the first step to reach out to all, especially the general public and politicians, to educate their supporters to eschew bitterness and fighting," he stressed.
He emphasised that Ghana was for all of us, so there was the need for all and sundry to protect it, stressing, "we as a people must endeavour to hold our motherland together in trust for generations unborn".
Nana Abban prayed for God’s guidance throughout the walk and that the message might impact positively on all the people.
The Garrison Commander and Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Frank Daley, called on all Ghanaians to support the election to be peaceful and tranquil for the development of the country.
"Our wish and prayer are not only for the successful election in the Western Region alone, but throughout the length and breadth of Ghana," he emphasised, adding, "We shall overcome if we work at it diligently".
The Catholic Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, Most Rev John Martin Darko, noted that peace had always been the principle guiding authentic religion and that it was not just a question of live and let live.
He explained that peace was the active and positive expression of goodwill towards others.
According to Bishop Darko, Ghanaians needed goodwill in abundance because of growing selfishness and indiscipline in spite of the call in the past to make the necessary sacrifices for the nation.
He stated that there were people who pretended to be fighting for the development of the nation, but actually had their own hidden agenda.
Bishop Darko noted that greed had swamped the society and that the clergy were not spared the infection, adding "this leads to violence".
"All the evils surrounding us, notably armed robbery, drug trafficking, terrorism and violence either by individuals or groups, or state organs, indiscipline by officials, individuals, gangs, bad and reckless drivers on the roads, are all caused by people who have no goodwill,” he said.
According to him, "the only driving force that motivates them is selfishness, misplaced pride and ‘bad will’ ".
Bishop Darko said the end result was suffering for all and stated that but all that we looked forward to was peace.
The walker, Fireman Dadzie, noted that the country had gone through a number of successful elections, be them unit committee, district, parliamentary or presidential.
He said it was a fact that democracy had come to stay in the country and stressed the need for all and sundry to diligently guide and guard the democracy.
"Our walk for peace before, during and after the general election is meant to educate all Ghanaians, including political parties, on the need to be tolerant and co-exist without rancour and bitterness," Fireman Dadzie stressed.