Social exclusion has been one of the issues plaguing not only the economic landscape but
also the political landscape. There is always the fear that certain classes or categories of the citizenry would be tactically or intendedly disenfranchised by a State institution and/or by certain individuals if not willfully.
To address this issue, a joint programme which was attended by some persons belonging to the FAITH in Ghana Alliance, Diocesan Development Officers (DDOs), staff of Caritas Ghana, and some staff of the National Catholic Secretariat, was held at the National Catholic Secretariat at Shiashie, a suburb of Accra, on the 25th of April, 2023, under the lead of Caritas Ghana.
The programme was facilitated by Dr. Joseph Taabazuing, a retired lecturer of GIMPA, as well as a former staff of the National Catholic Secretariat. He walked the participants through what is required of all the faith groups in Ghana to appreciate and do in order to avert electioneering violence exclusion. He urged that the faith groups must advocate for the inclusion of all people of concern, thus eligible voters, without intentionally excluding them from exercising their legitimate right of voting. Again, he engaged participants to reflect on the need for faith-based organizations to work together towards inclusive, credible and peaceful elections based on their respective spirituality or belief system.
Participants expressed appreciation for this awareness, and as always, expressed the commitment to publicly create awareness when they got back to their respective communities and dioceses.
This joint programme development with other faith groups on election was sponsored by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Secours Catholique-Caritas France (SCCF), Cáritas Española and accompanied by Caritas Africa, the regional partner. The programme forms part of a larger one dubbed “APPROCHE” – Accompagnement Personnalise de Proximite pour le Renforcement Organisationnel, le Changement et l’Engagement (in English: “Personalized Proximity Accompaniment for the Organizational Strengthening, Change and Commitment”), being implemented in seventeen (17) African countries. The local focal point or person for Caritas Ghana is Esther Williams. Thanks to her efforts to have this programme implemented and also, thanks to the Accompaniment Team of Caritas Africa. To our sponsors: AFD, SCCF and Cáritas Española, Caritas Ghana is saying, “Dieu vous benisse richement. Gracias!”
