LET'S CONTINUE TO DIALOGUE (NOV 20)

WITH barely 17 days left for the December 7 general election, some concerned citizens in the country from different political persuasions and backgrounds have initiated programmes and activities to sensitise Ghanaians to the need to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Already, some religious denominations and other peace-loving Ghanaians have been on their knees since the beginning of the year to seek divine intervention so that some of the nasty incidents that erupted in some countries in the sub-region and other parts of the continent as a result of disputed elections do not rear their ugly heads in our dear country.
Various concerns have been expressed over the pockets of violence that were recorded in some parts of the country, particularly clashes between some supporters and sympathisers of the two major political parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
As we draw closer to the polls, accusations and counter-accusations from both the NPP and the NDC have heightened the political temperature in the country.
It is based on this fact that the DAILY GRAPHIC applauds the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Peter Mac Manu, for calling for a meeting between the leadership of the NPP and that of the NDC, the leading contenders in the December polls, to deliberate on some of the thorny issues with the view to eliminating all the suspicions and mistrust that have characterised their relationship, especially in the run up to the polls.
However, it is unfortunate that the leadership of the NDC has turned down the gesture for building a rapport between supporters of the two parties.
The DAILY GRAPHIC begrudges nobody for rejecting an offer to dialogue when disagreements emerge in society. But the time-tested traditions of Ghanaians include their commitment to remain at the dialogue table to “jaw jaw” until they reach a consensus.
We believe that in spite of the frustrations of the NDC over the apparent feet dragging over the prosecution of those perceived to have wronged NDC supporters, the leadership of the NDC should welcome the gesture and use the platform to expose whoever is trying to shield the suspected criminals.
As the ruling political party, the NPP can raise a voice against perceived injustices in the system, but when the cases are being handled by the police or the courts, it is only appropriate to allow the processes to continue.
The time has come for all Ghanaians to respect state institutions charged with the responsibility of delivering certain mandates and co-operate with them to achieve such goals.
It is unfortunate that less than three weeks to the elections, some political parties believe the Electoral Commission (EC) is working against them. Yet, when the EC delivered 50 vehicles to the political parties, they sang from the same hymn book and sheet in their commendation of the EC.
No state institution is a perfect creation so long as it is manned by human beings. That is why constant exchanges among parties in disagreement offer the best platform to interrogate the issues for the best remedies to be found.
The alternative is objectionable, as it can only engender passion, emotions and tension, instead of cool-headedness, compromises, compassion and concensus-building during the run-up to December 7.
It is important to remind Ghanaians that all over the world no disagreement or conflict has been resolved outside the framework of a dialogue. The end to the conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone is a classic example of what dialogue and accommodation can achieve even after the parties in dispute had spilled blood unnecessarily.