NORSAAC in partnership with Sagani TV, and with support from STAR Ghana Foundation has sensitized key stakeholders in the Northern Region of Ghana on the vigilantism and related offenses ACT 999. The sensitization workshop, held at the Regal Hotel in Tamale on March 3, 2020 also enlightened participants on the Roadmap and Code of Conduct to end Political vigilantism for peaceful election 2020.
Alhassan Mohammed Awal, the Executive Director of NORSAAC in his welcome address expressed his gratitude to STAR Ghana Foundation for funding the event and shared the purpose of the gathering by indicating that:
“The content of the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act 2019 as well as the Roadmap and Code of Conduct to End Political Vigilantism is not well known to citizens particularly key citizens such as religious and traditional leaders who hold significant influence across political divisions. The huge influence that religious and traditional authorities hold in northern Ghana must be utilized for the operationalization of the Vigilantism and Related Offence Act 2019 as well as the Roadmap and Code. If the traditional and religious leaders demonstrate greater commitment to uphold the Vigilantism and Related Offence Act 2019 as well as the Roadmap and Code of Conduct to End Political Vigilantism, greater success will be achieved in that direction. This will undoubtedly contribute to peaceful elections in December 2020.”
Frank Amoateng, Senior M&E Manager of STAR-Ghana Foundation, speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of STAR Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, acknowledged the efforts of NORSAAC in promoting good governance in Ghana, particularly in northern Ghana. He indicated the motivation behind the Foundation’s support to the NORSAAC project to include an effort to contribute to a peaceful and credible election 2020.
He urged the participants at the event to participate fully in the training and be good ambassadors of the knowledge and information they will acquire at the event. He said:
“it is not enough for you to be here, what is important is to learn and share. The opportunity you have to be here comes with a greater responsibility of contributing to the fight against vigilantism and for that matter a credible and peaceful election in December 2020”
The training session was facilitated by George Amoh, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Ghana National Peace Council and moderated by Abubakari Kawusada – Gender and Governance Programme Manager of NORSAAC. Participants at the event were introduced to and sensitized on the Roadmap and code of conduct to end political vigilantism, as well as the vigilantism and related offenses ACT 999.
The event, which is the first in a series, will be replicated in the four other regions of northern Ghana. It is expected that the training will contribute to Increased knowledge and actions of 32 paramount chiefs from 3 regional house of chiefs in the north, 30 CSOs, 55 religious leaders, and 72 regional political party leaders on the Vigilantism and Related Offence Act 2019 as well as the Roadmap and Code of Conduct to end political vigilantism.
The event forms part of activities to be implemented under the NORSACC election 2020 project funded by STAR Ghana Foundation. In August 2019, STAR Ghana Foundation launched a call for proposals under its Election 2020 Call to increase the effectiveness of citizens’ actions for credible, peaceful and inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections.
