The signing of the Peace Pact is an insult to Mahama, Akufo-Addo – Prof Kwesi Jonah

Politics of Saturday December 5, 2020

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

2020-12-05

Professor Kwesi Jonah, senior researcher at the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), has said that asking the leaders of the two main political parties in the upcoming elections to sign a document to adhere to peace is an insult to their intelligence.

Professor Jonah argues that it is not fair for John Dramani Mahama and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whom he describes as “seasoned politicians”, to attach their signatures to the peace pact document.

“If they know that they will not fulfill the commitment they are making; they won’t. And then those who say that are only insulting the intelligence of these gentlemen, “he said.

Professor Jonah made the comment on Joy FM on Friday, December 4, 2020, while commenting on the third Presidential Peace Pact event organized by the National Peace Council.

The peace pact document is sponsored by the Council to ensure that PNP President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and NDC’s John Dramani Mahama commit to a non-violent election on December 7.

The Peace Council also hopes that with the signing of the pact, the leaders of the two main political parties will seek redress through the courts in the event of an electoral dispute.

But speaking about the event that took place at the Movenpick Ambassador hotel, Professor Jonah said that the fact that the two political leaders signed the pact will not prevent party supporters from fomenting problems.

“Signing a peace pact does not mean that members in all corners where a political party has a branch will equally reach a political consensus.

“What leaders can do is preach peace to those who support them and quickly interfere when people engage in violence, whether at the local or national level,” he said.

He urged voters to respect the principles of democracy and guarantee peace in the upcoming elections.

Monday’s presidential and parliamentary elections will be primarily between incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo and John Dramani Mahama, although eleven political parties and one independent candidate are expected to compete.