Election 2012: Presidential Candidates Vow To Uphold Country's Peace

The presidential candidates for Election 2012, on Tuesday demonstrated their commitment to uphold the nation�s peace and stability, vowing not to do anything to trigger electoral violence, impunity and injustice. President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Henry Lartey, the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Progressive People�s Party (PPP), Mr Akwasi Addai, United Front Party (UFP), Mr Hassan Ayariga, People�s National Convention (PNC), Dr Abu Sakara Foster, Convention People�s Party (CPP), who was represented by his running mate, Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankuma, and Mr Joseph Osei Yeboah, Independent candidate, publicly signed a declaration to ensure peace during the December 7 polls. This was at a historic meeting, organised by the National Peace Council, acting in concert with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and with technical support from the Institute for Democratic Governance, at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in Kumasi. �Promoting peaceful elections and justice: Taking a stand against electoral violence, impunity and injustice�, was the theme for the forum. The event comes just 10 days to the general elections, amidst the expression of anxiety and fear by sections of the Ghanaian population about possible nasty clashes. Former Presidents; Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor, the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Inspector General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye, Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Peter Augustine Blay, and the President of the National House of Chiefs, Wulugu Naba Pugansua Naa Professor John S. Nabila, were among the high profile personalities, who were at packed hall. President Mahama rallied the people to rise up and make sure that nothing was done to mar the country�s admirable democratic credentials. He said, as Head of State, he would carry out his role to the best of his ability and in the national interest. The President called on Ghanaians to share in the responsibility of ensuring peace, saying, �let us all work together and we can make it�. He said he had led by example, by avoiding inflammatory comments against him by other political opponents, and asked them to do same by repudiating insults, intemperate language and violence. Nana Akufo-Addo pledged that his party would not be part of any agenda to endanger the peace of the country in the forthcoming elections, and said: �It is in our interest that it comes off peacefully�. He said that the peace the nation was seeking and praying for required that Ghanaians played their expected part well. Nana Akufo-Addo, however, asked the President to demonstrate commitment to ensuring that state institutions performed their duties impartially � swiftly bringing to justice those who offended the law without distinction. Dr Nduom said his party�s single-minded purpose to create jobs and wealth for the people could not happen when there �is no peace�. He said the PPP would be peaceful, disciplined and act with dignity, despite the fact that the party suffered indignity and aggression. Dr Sakara said that Ghanaians were most peaceful and that the only time they could be violent was when they felt cheated, and called on the security agencies to be vigilant, even-handed and professional in the discharge of their work. Mr Addai appealed to the people to forge ahead in unity, and re-affirmed his determination to safeguard the nation�s democracy. Mr Ayariga and Dr Lartey both said they were committed to promoting peace and unity, while Mr Osei Yeboah called on stakeholders in the electoral process to work collectively to ensure peace and harmony.