British PM, Global Evangelical Church, others salute Akufo-Addo
Ghana’s President-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, continues to receive congratulatory messages locally and internationally after his victory in the 2016 presidential election.
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British Prime Minister
The British Prime Minister, Mrs Theresa May, has joined the long list of world leaders who have congratulated Ghana’s President-elect.
“I recognise that it was a hard-fought campaign and that your margin of victory was impressive,” she said in a terse statement.
With the two countries enjoying close political and diplomatic ties, the British Minister said she valued the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
“I believe that the period ahead offers us a great opportunity to do more together. I look forward to continuing our excellent co-operation on defence, drugs, crime and national security, and to working together on challenges such as tackling corruption,” she said.
Mrs May, who rode on the back of Brexit to come to power following the resignation of the then British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, said alongside her country’s support to Ghana in areas such as governance, poverty reduction, education and health, she was optimistic that the two countries could deepen economic cooperation.
CHRAJ
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has also congratulated the President-elect and newly elected parliamentarians and all others who contested the elections but were not successful.
The commission also commended all stakeholders for working together to ensure a free, fair and transparent election.
“Indeed, there were no losers, all of us as a nation emerged as winners, and Ghana is richer and better as a result of the collective maturity demonstrated in this election.
“Though the elections provided a tough test for Ghanaians to prove their mettle in terms of democracy, once again, Ghanaians passed the test with distinction, but for the few skirmishes and pockets of confrontations that greeted the announcement of the results”, the statement, signed by the acting Commissioner, Mr Richard Quayson, said.
The statement said it was very refreshing to note that the security agencies had stepped up efforts to arrest persons who fomented trouble and disturbed the peace the country had been enjoying.
“It is the hope and expectation of all that such persons would be arrested and made to face the full rigour of the law to serve as a deterrent to others”, it added.
In a related development, the commission also urged both the outgoing and incoming administrations to work together to ensure a smooth transfer of power to the President-elect and his team as they assume the reins of government on January 7, 2017.
“The Commission looks forward to the same maturity being demonstrated during this period to make the victory that Ghana has won complete,” it said.
Global Evangelical Church
The Global Evangelical Church (GEC) has also congratulated the President-elect on his victory in the just-ended elections.
In congratulating the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as well, the church urged Ghanaians to be law-abiding and hardworking to push the national agenda for a prosperous Ghana.
In a statement signed by the Moderator of the Church, Rt Rev. Dr Setorwu Kwadzo Ofori, the church entreated the unsuccessful parties to find solace in their love for the country and give peace a chance in order to raise the vision of the incoming administration of the NPP.
It also urged the Transition Team to work together to ensure a smooth changeover and rally behind the winning team for national development.
“It is, therefore, natural that the transition team would work together to ensure a smooth changeover. We pray that all Ghanaians whether with affiliation to the party in power or not, with rally behind the winning team for development”, it stated.
The church assured the new leadership of their constant prayer support for guidance and blessings as they embark on the new responsibilities from January 7, 2017.
Ga-Dangme Fomorbii Akpee
Meanwhile, the GaDangme Fomorbii Akpee-Ayawaso Akutsei, an association of Ga indigenes, has urged the incoming government to stay on the path of inclusiveness in their tenure of office, adding that it should reflect in their programmes, policies and developmental agenda.
In its congratulatory message to the newly elected President, Nana Akufo-Addo, signed by its Secretary, Numo Tettey Amanor, the group stated that while some chiefs from the GaDangme communities took sides with the various political parties, it was important to let go of the differences the division caused.
Coalition of Muslim Organisations
The Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana also congratulated the NPP and the President-elect on winning the December 7 General Election.
According to a statement issued and signed on behalf of the organisation, the General Secretary, Haji Abdel Manan Abdel Rahman, said the support the NPP enjoyed from Ghanaians portrayed that Ghanaians had confidence in the incoming administration.