Alex Biney, a.k.a “Bomaye” Public Relations(PR) for Thumb Not Fist, was the Master of Ceremony at the event and he started off the program with an opening prayer from the secretary for Thumb Not Fist, in the person of Patrick Mallet.
The event was graced by the attendance of key dignitaries who came to support the launch of this peace initiative. Among the key dignitaries present were the Lebanese High commissioner Mr. Ali H Halabi, Hon. Kokofu member of parliament for Bantama, Mr. Joseph Chester Anie ( CEO for ibrand and potpourri productions) Mr Stephen Kweku CEO of Passion Exhibit Modelling Agency (PEMA), members from the Kizomba community which gave live performances and tutorials on salsa and kizomba. There was also present some top models within the fashion industry in the persons of Prince IB, Nick Ghartey, Kel Quao, Julie Djouled Bocoum, Chantelle Dapaah, Karen Abib, Damani Wallace, Ralph Angel Zillary, Roland Paul Ebiwei, and other dsitingusihed dignaries were all present to grace the occasion.
As part of the program launch, Stephen Kojo Owusu, founder of the Thumb not Fist peace initiative delivered a peace message which was a wakeup call and a charge to all gathered to champion the cause of peace, before, during and after the elections. In his brief address, he stated and indicated that the quest for peace was a collective effort, citing Mother Theresa’s famous quote about peace that “if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”.
He also stressed on the relevance of democracy, especially the kind practiced here in our country which harbours tolerance and unity. He also recognized the fact that elections were important occasions to determine a nation’s development, since it enabled the people to exercise their franchise in determining their will for development in freedom and justice, with all forbearance and tolerance; hence the need to use the Thumb and not Fist. A representative from PEMA also rendered a beautiful poetic recital on peace.
The climax of the program was the unveiling and outdooring of the various video recorded peace messages from key persons in the country. These videos play a vital role in the peace campaign as it is designed to bring to the notion of Ghanaians that, various people in their various capacities also aspire to encourage a peaceful election, and wish that the populace at large emulate that passion in fostering peace wherever they maybe.
Some of the videos displayed involved the chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Reverend Prof Asante, Pastor T. T Ocran the conference president of the SDA church, some members of parliament in the persons of Hon. Fritz Baffour, Hon. Kokofu member of parliament for Bantama, some political party stalwarts, Traditional rulers and business men of which included Nana Agyei Sikapa of peace 104.3fm, Ohene Yaw Boamah creative director of Abrantie the gentleman, Mr Harold Ameya an actor, Benard Mornah (PNC party chairman,) Mr. Sam Pyne, the NPP Ashanti Regional Secretary, Mr. James Kwabena Bomfeh Kabilla (CPP), Mr. Abu Jinapor for the NPP, Mr Kwasi Pratt of CPP, Hon Nana Akomea the NPP communications’ Director, Hon Kojo Adu Asare of the NDC, Mr. Sammy Awuku of NPP Mr. Allotey Jacobs of the NDC, Nana Tia Darkoa I, queen mother. All these people were filmed to tell Ghanaians about their peace message for this year’s elections, as they also campaigned on the tag line “Thumb not Fist”
There had also been a courtesy call to the office of former Head of State, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufour, in a brief interview with Stephen K Owusu. In his address the former President and statesman, expressed his support for this peaceful initiative, Thumb not Fist, and also advised that political parties and politicians promote and foster peace in their endeavours and also charged all Ghanaians to cherish the peace we have and finally addressed that the electoral commission work assiduously in their capacity and credibility to ensure a free and fair election.
