Voices against Tribalism (VaT), a social development, research and advocacy-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has urged all presidential candidates to work towards safeguarding Ghana's peace by running campaigns devoid of cultural or tribal sentiments.

The group in a statement urged the aspirants to protect the nation from divisive comments and rather pursue policies of inclusiveness.

The statement signed by the chairman of VaT, Cephas K. Asimadi also congratulated the presidential aspirants on their successful nominations to contest the December 7 polls.

The group said it was worried about the isolated incidence of tribal intolerance which characterised the recent voter's registration exercise which has generated needless tension in the country.

"It will be recalled that there have been isolated incidence of tribal intolerance in some parts of the country during the voter's registration exercise which ended in August, 2020 and also on some campaign platforms. This has generated needless tension and undermines the peace and security of our beloved nation," the statement said.

"Against this background, Vat wishes to entreat all Presidential Aspirants who travel the length and breadth of the country to campaign, to do so with decorum to ensure the peace we enjoy in the country is sustained. Ghana is a nation of people united by the diversity of our cultural and tribal identities; therefore, under no circumstance should any of the political parties or presidential aspirants do their campaign capitalizing on cultural or tribal sentiments.

"We owe it a duty to protect the nation and its people from comments that divides us and pursue path of inclusiveness, hope, peace, unity in diversity so that we can collectively advance the development of our country. Good luck to all Political Parties, Presidential Aspirants and may Ghana emerge victorious after 7th December, 2020".

Read the entire statement below;

VOICES AGAINST TRIBALISM

Voices Against Tribalism (VAT)

Press Release

Cc

All Media Platforms

Issued on Wednesday 28th October 2020

CONGRATULATORY STATEMENT AND GENERAL APPEAL TO ALL PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS The Electoral Commission on Friday 9th October, 2020 published the ist of Presidential Aspirants for the

2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections scheduled for 7th December, 2020. The final list of Presidential Candidates was released on the 12th of October, 2020 for Election 2020. Voices against Tribalism (Vat), a social development, research and advocacy based Non-Governmental Organization wishes to congratulate all Presidential Aspirants who have been successfully shortlisted as candidates for the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections and to those who were disqualified, we wish them the best of luck in their endeavors. It is delightful, as they have demonstrated once again our efforts towards consolidating our democracy.

It will be recalled that there have been isolated incidence of tribal intolerance in some parts of the country during the voter's registration exercise which ended in August, 2020 and also on some campaign platforms. This has generated needless tension and undermines the peace and security of our beloved nation.

Against this backgrcund, Vat wishes to entreat all Presidential Aspirants who travel the length and breadth of the country to campaign, to do so with decorum to ensure the peace we enjoy in the country is sustained. Ghana is a nation of people united by the diversity of our cultural and tribal identities; therefore, under no circumstance should any of the political parties or presidential aspirants do their campaign capitalizing on cultural or tribal sentiments.

We owe it a duty to protect the nation and its people from comments that divides us and pursue path of inclusiveness, hope, peace, unity in diversity so that we can collectively advance the development of our country. Good luck to all Political Parties, Presidential Aspirants and may Ghana emerge victorious after 7th December, 2020.

Cephas Kojo Asimadi Chairman, Voices against Tribalism, 0244765947

Raymond Kuudaah Spokesperson: 0543138230