President John Mahama is calling for absolute peace
before, during and after Friday’s election.
In an nationwide address,
barely 12 hours into Friday’s elections the president said the
election is “only a contest between competing policies and must not
set families and ethnic groups apart.”
“Let us remember that Ghana is bigger and more important than
any of us,” he stressed.
He charged all voters to go into the elections tomorrow in an
atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
“The youth must be law abiding and do nothing to disrupt the
activities of the security services,” he advised.
He said he has done every
thing required of him as the president and
Commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and hoped the security
personnel will be up to the task.
He prayed for absolute peace in the elections.
But some critics, especially from the opposition New
Patriotic Party are accusing the president of abusing
incumbency.
Chairman, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey told Myjoyonline.com the
address was against the EC rules which prevented parties and
contesting candidates from campaigning.
He said all the parties had already given their peace
messages at the Kumasi declaration and wondered why the president
will abuse his incumbency with another peace message.
He said the nationwide address was a "desperate" measure by
the president "to make him look presidential."
Read below, the full statement of President Mahama’s
broadcast to the nation:
STATEMENT READ BY PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA IN AN
ADDRESS TO THE NATION ON THE EVE OF THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL &
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS Thursday, December 06, 2012
Good Evening, Fellow Ghanaians
Over the past twenty years, Ghana’s democracy has become a
beacon of hope for the entire African continent and in the process,
drawn useful lessons for the rest of the world.
Tomorrow, for the sixth time in our fourth Republican
journey, eligible voters will step out to deepen Ghana’s democracy
by choosing our leaders through free, fair and peaceful
elections.
On such a historic occasion, it is worth reminding ourselves
that whatever our political differences are, Ghana’s stable
institutions, democratic culture and the fortitude of its people
have at each election, collectively risen to the occasion and made
us proud as a nation.
Fellow Ghanaians, an election is a contest between competing
policy visions and must never set families, ethnic groups and
religions against one another.
Out of this contest of ideas shall emerge a President and
leader whose character embodies and reflects our collective
aspirations as a nation towards peace, unity and accelerated
socio-economic development.
In all this, let us remember that Ghana is bigger and more
important than any of us. The surest way to sustain and enhance our
enviable image is to go to the polls tomorrow in an atmosphere of
peace.
All registered voters are also encouraged to be an active
part of the decision making process by exercising their
franchise.
I further urge all of you, particularly my dear youth, to be
law abiding and do nothing to obstruct the functions of lawfully
mandated state institutions and bodies, that are all currently
poised to discharge their duties professionally.
As President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I
have done what is necessary through our very capable Security
Services to achieve this noble goal of national Peace and Security;
before, during and after the polls.
Let us all play our individual and collective roles to make
Ghana the winner again tomorrow.
Indeed, I have every confidence that another significant
positive milestone will be chalked.
We thank the Almighty God for the favour he has bestowed on
us already as a nation, and further pray that he will see us
through the election peacefully.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and
strong.
Thank you.
