Akufo-Addo and Mahama shake hands and ask for peace before the elections

General news for Friday, December 4, 2020

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

2020-12-04

Presidential candidates from the country’s two main political parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party and the opposition Democratic National Congress, signed a peace pact before the December 7 elections.

The two, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama have fully committed to keeping the peace during and after the electoral period.

The initiative spearheaded by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) will guarantee that the main presidential candidates, by all means, seek constitutional redress if they are not satisfied with the electoral process.

Speaking at the peace signing ceremony on December 4, John Dramani Mahama highlighted his willingness to support the promotion and maintenance of peace throughout the electoral process.

However, he cited some recent cases of violence and voter oppression under the Akudo-Addo-led government as a need to worry about the fate of the polls.

“Our country is at a critical juncture in history. Never has the lives of so many depended on the power of a thumb. Now more than ever, we need the institutions of our democracy to work impartially to achieve a fair, transparent and national interest result… The Ayawaso West Wuogon events are fresh in our minds. The administration’s refusal to sanction those involved in assaulting an honorable Member of Parliament and injuring dozens of people remains one of the darkest days in our democratic history, ”he said.

Adding; “It is my prayer that, despite our deepest fears, we will be proven wrong and that Ghana will once again be shown to be the beacon of democracy in Africa. We’ve done it before and we can do it again! Let’s exorcise the ghost of Ayawaso West Wuogon on Monday. I am John Dramani Mahama and I defend peace. May there be peace in Ghana before, during and after the elections. “

For his part, President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed hope and optimism in the Electoral Commission to carry out peaceful votes

While he was committed to peace, he said: “The special voting process has passed peacefully and all the political parties are happy with the process … We in the PNP want a credible election held in a peaceful and calm environment. We are confident that we have a track record that will make Ghanaians vote to renew our mandate. “

“We want this victory to be sweet and unanswerable and I am happy to give my word that we will accept the verdict of the people of Ghana,” promised the president.

President Akufo-Addo and John Mahama will work together on behalf of their political parties to ensure the complete dissolution of the self-defense groups before the elections.

The peace signing ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Justice Anin Yeboah, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the President of the National Peace Council, the Rev. Ernest Adu Gyamfi, the National Chamber of Chiefs, the President of the CE, Jean Mensa, among several others.