Editorial:Kasoa, One Peace Walk, Two Violence!
Kasoa, the municipal capital of the Awutu Senya East Municipality of Ghana, has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Despite a recent peaceful march dubbed the ‘Kasoa Walk for Peace’ aimed at promoting peace and unity among residents, violence has erupted again at the Electoral Commission’s District Office. The contrast between the peaceful march and the violent clash is stark and worrying.
The ‘Kasoa Walk for Peace’ was a show of unity among residents, who pledged their commitment to maintaining a peaceful environment before, during, and after the 2024 general elections. The march was a call to action for the media to be more accurate in their reporting and to stop tagging Kasoa as a hotspot for crime. The residents argued that most reported crimes occur outside the municipality, and the constant association with criminal activities has taken a toll on local businesses and job seekers.
However, just a few days after the peaceful march, violence erupted at the EC’s office, resulting in injuries, arrests, and allegations of police bias. The incident involved supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) clashing over the queuing of applicants seeking to transfer their votes. The NDC has accused the police of bias, demanding impartiality in investigations and the immediate release of their arrested members.
The contrast between the peaceful march and the violent clash is a call to action for residents, political parties, and the media to embrace peace and work towards a more accurate and fair representation of Kasoa. The constant violence and negative media attention have taken a toll on the community, and it is time for a change.
We urge residents, political parties, and the media to come together to promote peace and unity in Kasoa. The ‘Kasoa Walk for Peace’ was a step in the right direction, and we must continue to work towards a more peaceful and united community. Let us embrace peace and work towards a brighter future for Kasoa.