Violence Won’t Consume Ghana Under My Watch – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to do everything possible to ensure that Ghana is not plunged into violence during the electioneering period.

There have been several chaotic incidents and violent clashes in the country in recent times, involving supporters of the two major political parties – the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), raising concerns from stakeholders and election watchers, who fear the situation could degenerate into violence if not checked.

Speaking at a signing ceremony for a peace accord signed by all presidential candidates in Accra on Thursday, President Mahama said “I pray to the almighty God that it shall not be my portion and that may it not be under my watch that our dear nation Ghana would be consumed by violence.”

President Mahama again promised his utmost “commitment to a peaceful and successful election.”

“I pledge to carry out my dual role both as president of the Republic and as a presidential candidate in this forthcoming election in a manner that shall preserve the peace and stability of our dear nation. I declare publicly my respect for the Electoral Commission and the authentic results that shall be declared by this Commission. I declare my confidence in the people of Ghana to make a choice of their own free will of whom they wish to lead them over the next four years. Violence cannot be a reflection of a genuine desire to serve. I have absolute confidence in Ghana’s capacity to successfully clear the upcoming democratic hurdle on 7^th December 2016 and stay the course of democratic and economic transformation that I have initiated over the last four years,” he added.

Peace accord

All the seven presidential candidates for the polls, signed the peace pact.

Some persons who witnessed the peace accord included the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, former president Jerry John Rawlings, Chief Justice Mrs. Georgina Wood among others.

Some local and international observers including reps of ECOWAS, UN and EU were also there.

By: Godwin A. Allotey