Down memory lane. . . As 8 presidential candidates pledge to uphold peace
Today is exactly a year when all the eight presidential candidates in the 2012 elections affirmed in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, to uphold peace before, during and after the December 7, 2012 elections.
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The candidates were incumbent President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP); Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party; Dr Henry Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party; and Mr Hassan Ayariga of the People’s National Convention.
The rest were Mr Akwasi Addai (Odike) of the United Front Party and Mr Joseph Osei Yeboah, an independent candidate.
Ms Sherita Sarpong-Kumankuma, the running mate of the presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party, Dr Michael Abu Sakara Foster, represented the presidential candidate.
The historic high-level gathering, organised by the National Peace Council (NPC) and the Manhyia Palace, with technical support from the Institute of Democratic Governance, brought together all the major players in the national elections, minus the Electoral Commission, to the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the venue for the epoch-making ceremony.
Many political watchers described the scene as “a sight to behold as the eight presidential candidates appended their signatures to the novelty and historic electoral pact, otherwise referred to as “The Kumasi Declaration”.
The packed Great Hall, which also had in attendance two former Presidents — Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor — applauded as the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood,the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the Chairman of the NPC, the Most Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, witnessed the signing of the declaration by the candidates.
The candidates committed themselves to avoid all manner of acts, including impunity, injustice and violence, that could throw the nation into confusion.
The peace declaration, which was read by the Chief Justice, indicated, among other things, that the eight presidential candidates would conduct themselves in a manner devoid of throwing the country into chaos.
It further stated that they would uphold the stability of Ghana and preserve its democratic credentials by abiding by the rules set out for the elections.
Additionally, it stated that any form of impunity and injustice would not find a place in the conduct of the presidential candidates and their political parties.
It said they would collaborate with the security agencies to discharge their duties without fear or favour and also conduct their campaigns in a way that would not hinder the work of the police.
“From today, let us make the Kumasi Declaration one of the pillars of elections, committing us to avoid electoral injustice and other negative acts,” the Asantehene told the gathering.
He also touched on the country’s chequered historical past, from a one-party state to military regimes before democracy was restored in 1992, and challenged political party leaders to tread the path of peace to maintain the respect Ghana commanded within the global community.
