In their 2024 Lenten Pastoral Letter, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has called upon all Ghanaians, irrespective of religious affiliation, to diligently fulfill their civic duties ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Under the theme, “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled with God” (2 Cor 5:20), the Bishops emphasized that the blessings of Lent extend to the entire nation, highlighting the importance of unity, reconciliation, and responsible citizenship.g
“The fruits or blessings of Lent are not for only Catholics or Christians, but for the whole nation. Therefore, 2024 being a year of general elections, we wish to call upon all Ghanaians to duly undertake their civic duties,” the GCBC stated.
Addressing the need for unity in achieving national goals, the Bishops stressed the importance of reconciliation among individuals and groups, cautioning against divisive actions such as antagonism, violence, and hatred.
“While the 1992 Constitution allows for multi-party democracy, this does not mean antagonism, violence, hatred, bitterness, quarrels, killings and the like. It rather means different perspectives, approaches and processes to achieve the national goals for the good of all citizens and posterity,” the GCBC emphasized.
The Bishops urged offenders to acknowledge their offenses and encouraged the offended to forgive, emphasizing the importance of fostering a reconciliatory spirit in the lead-up to the elections.
In addressing specific concerns related to the electoral process, the GCBC called for conscientious voting, discouraging practices such as vote-buying and vote-selling. They also called upon the government and security agencies to ensure a conducive and secure environment for the elections, free from fear, intimidation, and hooliganism.
Furthermore, the GCBC emphasized the need for the Electoral Commission (EC) to remain impartial and conduct free, fair, and transparent elections, addressing concerns raised by citizens and political parties regarding electoral reforms, particularly regarding the use of indelible ink.
“All political parties should, in turn, respect the independence of the EC and cooperate with it to achieve free, fair, and transparent elections,” the GCBC urged.
The statement by the GCBC underscores the critical role of responsible citizenship and active participation in the electoral process as Ghana prepares for the 2024 elections.