Four flagbearers salute Akufo-Addo
Four presidential candidates in the 2012 general election yesterday joined a number of bodies and personalities to commend Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the swift manner in which he accepted the judgement of the Supreme Court.
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They stated that his decision had put Ghana once again on the map of the world as a strict adherent of the rule of law.
The four were: Dr Abu Foster Sakara of the Convention People’s Party (CPP); Mr Hassan Ayariga of the People’s Convention Party (PNC); Dr Henry Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP); and Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, an independent candidate.
Prior to the judgement by the Supreme Court on the 2012 election petition, the four had called on Nana Akufo-Addo and President John Dramani Mahama to accept the judgement, whichever way it went, as part of measures to ensure stability in the country.
Just after the judgement, Nana Akufo Addo called President Mahama to congratulate him and also held a press conference at his residence at Nima in Accra to indicate his acceptance of the judgement and intention not to go for review of the case.
So far the first to visit and commend him was the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu, followed by a representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki Moon and a former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
Speaking in turns, Dr Sakara, who waxed biblical, said they did not want to be waxed like the 10 lepers who, after they had been cured by Jesus Christ, forgot to thank him, which was why they had come to applaud Nana Akufo-Addo for sticking to his promise.
Dr Lartey said Nana Akufo-Addo had made them proud as Ghanaians by bringing peace and stability to the country.
On Nana Akufo-Addo’s pledge to take a rest from politics, Dr Lartey jokingly chipped in: “Nana, let me tell you that my father was 83 years old when he was going to contest as a presidential candidate,” a statement that drew laughter from the gathering.
Mr Yeboah described Nana Akufo-Addo as someone who had given real and practical meaning to his claim as a staunch adherent of the rule of law, pointing out that he had chalked up a feat that would be difficult for any other Ghanaian to emulate in the foreseeable future.
Mr Ayariga, who celebrated his 41st birthday yesterday, noted that the Supreme Court proceedings had educated Ghanaians on the electoral process and enriched the country’s democratic credentials.
He said he had associated the NPP with violence, but with what Nana Akufo-Addo had done, it was evident that the perception was erroneous.
Nana Akufo-Addo said he made a commitment and as a democrat, he could not go back on his words but to act in a manner that would entrench democratic practice and the rule of law and also as a demonstration to the people of Ghana that the NPP wanted to rule and better their lives.
He said though leaders from various political persuasions, they could have a common ground which is the development of the country, but they might not agree on various issues.
Nana Akufo-Addo called for constant meetings and collaboration among leaders of the various political parties to douse the tension among their members.
He indicated to them that political opponents were not enemies but people with different ideologies.
By Donald Ato Dapatem/Daily Graphic/Ghana
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