Contrary to threats and constant pronouncements by some individuals and political party representatives that Ghana could be plunged into violence after the 2008 general elections, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has reassured Ghanaians that the country would be peaceful before and after the elections.
"This year is a critical year for the country because of our elections, and the election should not be a recipe for violence and bloodshed", the NPP candidate told representatives of the National Council of Muslim Chiefs on Wednesday at his late father's Nima residence in Accra.
According to him, the honour bestowed on him by his party comes with a Herculean task since he is now responsible for the projection of the tenets of the NPP, which are "commitment to national development, freedom of citizens, unity and integrity".
He told the jubilant chiefs that it was the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that Ghana emerged from the elections, more united and proud as a nation.
Meanwhile, political pundits and leaders of some political parties, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flag bearer, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, have urged fairness in the elections else the country could be plunged into the Kenya-like chaos that has attended disputed elections.
According to the Crusading Guide newspaper, the NDC flag bearer, who does not seem to be convinced that the elections would be a fair game, said at a recent press conference that his party and other well-meaning Ghanaians would reject outright the results of the 2008 elections, if the NPP made any attempt to dishonestly influence the results.
The NDC guru also warned of a possible occurrence of the Kenyan situation in the country, if the polls are manipulated. Violent clashes ensued soon after the recent Kenyan general elections following allegations by the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) that the elections had been rigged by the incumbent President, Mwai Kibaki.
In a related development, Mr. Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, one of the 17 contestants who lost to Nana Addo in the recent NPP flag bearership race, and yet has been very instrumental in the latter's campaign, advised the representatives of the Muslim Communities not to allow their children to be used by politicians for their own selfish and parochial interests.
"There is one thing we should know; the children of these leaders never die when there is a conflict. Don't you see they always turn to the Zongos and Nima to lure our children for these dirty jobs", he said.
Nana Addo said Ghana is made up of many tribes and religious bodies but the Constitution guarantees freedom for all persons, as such, he was ready to factor tribes and religious bodies into his developmental agenda for the betterment of the nation...
Confident about his chances of victory in the election, the NPP flag bearer advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to make the necessary arrangements to conduct a free and fair elections which would provide results acceptable to all.
He went on to pray for peaceful elections, devoid of rancour and un¬necessary controversies.
In attendance were representatives from Ashanti, Western, Volta, Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra regions.
Chiefs who took turns to give short addresses pledged their support for Nana Addo and also urged him to consider the Zongo Communities for jobs and other developmental ventures.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the (NCMC), Alhaji Baba Issa, commended Nana for extending a hand to the Chiefs, reiterating the need for developments in the Zongo Communities.
Other NPP flag bearer aspirants present at the event were Mr. Hackman Owusu Agyemang, Mr. Felix Owusu Adjepong, Mr.Yaw Osafo-Maafo and Professor Mike Oquaye.
Source: MJFM
