14th February, 2019

For Immediate Release

NCCE CALLS FOR CALM AND TOLERANCE

The NCCE has noted with concern the seeming tension and emerging threats of acts of violence
in certain parts of the country following the announcement of capital towns for the newly created
regions by His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, and calls for calm and
tolerance among the citizenry.

The NCCE reminds Ghanaians particularly youth and all citizens in the newly created regions
that violence, intolerance and disregard for the rule of law has no place in our democratic space
and it is unacceptable in any modern democracy. Citizens must uphold and safeguard the rule of
law for the protection and preservation of fundamental human rights and freedoms, peace, unity,
cohesion and stability of our nation, Ghana.

The Commission therefore urges all persons who have concerns with respect to the selection of
towns as capitals of the newly created regions to respect the Constitutional mandate of the
President and use due processes to air their grievances in order to maintain the peace being
enjoyed in the country. Persons in the affected regions are encouraged to join hands with the
government to ensure development of their regions and the entire country in order not to defeat
the purpose of creating the regions.

Also, the NCCE reiterates the need for chiefs, opinion leaders and stakeholders in the affected
regions to be circumspect in their utterances and desist from making pronouncements that have
the potential to inflame passions in order to forestall violent actions. Again, persons in towns
selected as regional capitals should jubilate in moderation whilst respecting the rights of others.
The Commission encourages all well-meaning Ghanaians particularly people in the newly
created regions to exercise maximum restraint, be tolerant, united and coexist peacefully for the
development of their regions. We, as Ghanaians, are one people with a common destiny. Article
35 (6a) urges us to “foster a spirit of loyalty to Ghana that overrides sectional, ethnic and other
loyalties”. It is in the light of reiterating the spirit of loyalty to Ghana that the NCCE selected the
theme “Ghana, One People: Our Values, Our Sovereignty in Participatory Democracy”

God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.

Joyce Afutu (Mrs.)

(Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs)