We are not too sure how Ghanaians will react to the verdict, especially the teeming supporters of the two political parties litigating over the 2012 presidential election.
The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2012 elections, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and two other leading members of the party have challenged the declaration of President John Mahama as the winner of the election by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.
The present level of uncertainty hanging over the country ought to be appreciated because of the fact that it is the first time in our history that a presidential election petition is before the highest court of the land.
That is not all; it is also the first time in our history that a court hearing is being beamed live to millions of Ghanaians, as well as a global audience that can access GTV.
Certain personalities have been very dismissive of the whole election petition hearing as a very insignificant exercise, but frankly speaking, the exercise at the Supreme Court has the potential to change the destiny of the country for good or for bad, depending on how the parties in the dispute and their supporters react to the verdict.
The Daily Graphic believes that the exercise at the Supreme Court is a very serious business with key ramifications for the peace and stability of the country.
We commend all well-meaning individuals and organisations for the various steps they are taking to get the people to prepare their minds for the outcome of the petition hearing.
It is in this vein that we commend the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), the Manhyia Palace, the National Peace Council and the Civic Forum, for once again bringing together the various interest groups to take steps to maintain the peace and stability of the country.
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has also planned what it calls “The IEA post-election petition peace broadcast series” to help promote peace and stability after the Supreme Court verdict.
The Daily Graphic commends all these institutions for their patriotic steps to keep Ghana as the reference point for peace on the African continent and beyond.
Ghana is bigger than any group or individual interest and we appeal to the parties in the dispute and their supporters to place the interest of the country above any sectarian consideration.
We urge all to accept the verdict in good faith, so that the people can continue with their daily activities without let or hindrance.
The Daily Graphic appeals to the judges to dispense justice without fear or favour and without ill-will or affection.
We know that court verdicts do not sit well with the parties that lose cases, but we hope that even in that circumstance; the losers will accept the verdict in good faith, while the victors will celebrate in moderation in order to rally all for nation-building.
Daily Graphic/Ghana
