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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says Africa must work towards making elections a normal event rather than the unnecessary tension it generates during every cycle.
“Elections are but only a process to determine who leads and governs over a period and must not generate the kind of hysteria often witnessed among the populace.
Andrew Asiamah Amoako, MP for Fomena
• Cynthia Morrison, MP for Agona West
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Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, MP for Amenfi Central
“I’m a firm believer that Africa… we should all, especially Ghana… we should have strived for where elections are normal feature of our national life, and they don’t call for any hysteria or any particular preachy talking,” he emphasised.
President Akufo-Addo said this when a delegation from the Organisation for African Development (OAD) called on him at the Jubilee House in Accra on Wednesday.
The delegation, led by founder of OAD, Mr Bonaventure Aguissi, was at the presidency to discuss the upcoming Peace Match scheduled for November 9, 2024 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The match is geared towards promoting peace ahead of the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.
It will feature legends from Spain’s Barcelona Football Club, including Ronaldinho Gaúcho, a former Brazilian footballer, alongside Ghanaian football icons and presidential candidates.
President Akufo-Addo is set to be the Special Guest of Honour on the day.
In addition to the match, a peace convocation will take place, where dignitaries, including traditional leaders, security chiefs, and officials from the National Peace Council, will deliver messages to encourage a peaceful electoral process.
Welcoming the delegation, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana’s commitment to conducting a transparent and credible election was not in doubt.
He said his government was committed to upholding peace and stability before, during and after the elections, stressing that “This will be our ninth election in the Fourth Republic, and, by and large, this year’s polls will follow the peaceful trend established.”
President Akufo-Addo highlighted the nation’s track record of successful elections, emphasising that the December 7 polls would further enhance Ghana’s reputation among its peers in sub-Saharan Africa.
He referred to the peace initiative as commendable and assured of his commitment to attend the event to support its worthy goal.
He said the country was determined to successfully navigate yet another electoral challenge by upholding its strong record of accomplishment.
President Akufo-Addo therefore, urged all stakeholders to fulfill their responsibilities and also encouraged political party leaders to actively engage in the peace event.
“I am all for it since this initiative is an excellent one,” the President noted.
Mr Aguissi praised Ghana as a shining example of democracy and good governance in the sub-region.
He said that the OAD was pleased to be involved in the peaceful election process in the country and urged all stakeholders to participate in the upcoming peace event to ensure its success.
BY CLIFF EKUFUL
