By Godwill Arthur-Mensah
Accra, Nov. 29, GNA — Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 Election, Wednesday pledged his unflinching commitment and that of the NPP towards ensuring peace and harmony before, during and after the December 7 polls.
“On my personal behalf and for the party I lead, the NPP, I pledge my commitment to working with all officials mandated to help conduct the elections and also abide by the rules and regulations governing this civic exercise,” he assured.
The pledge was on the backdrop of the signing of a Peace Pact by all the presidential candidates, organised by the National Peace Council (NPC) and the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), at the Kimpinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra.
“Ghana has been a model of democracy and an inspiration to many African countries, a feat achieved due to continuous efforts by our leaders, institutions and citizens who understood the value of peace as the bedrock for national progress,” Dr Bawumia said.
Therefore, he would not do anything untoward to decapitate the prevailing peace and stability in the country no matter the outcome of the December 7 elections.
“As we head towards the December 7 polls, the nineth presidential elections, and nine days from today, am certain of two outcomes: Ghana will win and peace will reign,” Dr Bawumia said in a speech before signing the Presidential Peace Pact, 2024.
He lauded the NPC and IDEG for their tireless efforts in ensuring that the signing of the Peace Pact.
“Since the dawn of the Fourth Republic, Ghana has been a model democracy and an inspiration to many across the African continent and beyond. As we head into the polls again, the eyes of the world are on Ghana, watching and hoping Ghana will rise to the occasion, stand tall, and shine bright as the star of Africa.”
“The love for the country and an adherence to the rule of law should be the guiding principle. In the end, Ghana must be the ultimate winner.”
He appealed to all interest groups in this year’s elections to reaffirm their commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law.
“It’s possible to rise above our differences and unite for the sake of our country. We have been here before and prove once again that Ghana is a shinning example of a resilient democracy,”Dr Bawumia stated.
The NPP flagbearer entreated all the stakeholders; political parties, candidates, electoral officers, security personnel, voters, the media and the public to take responsibility in ensuring peace and harmony.
“The day the power of love overrules the love for power the world will know peace”.
” I stand for peace and development. Peace is possible!, he said.
The Peace Pact, the fourth in the series, was to enable the presidential candidates to pledge to peace before, during and after the December 7 polls.
Eight out of the 12 presidential candidates were present while four were represented.
Those present were former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress, George Twum-Barima-Adu, an Independent Candidate, Hassan Ayariga, All People’s Congress, Kofi Koranteng, an Independent Candidate, Nana Akosua-Frimpomaa, Convention People’s Party, and Mohammed Frimpong, National Democratic Party.
The rest were Kofi Akpaloo, Liberal Party of Ghana, and Dr Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr, Great Consolidated Popular Party.
Mr Alan Kyerematen of Movement for Change was represented by Nana Ohene Ntow, Christian Kwabena Andrew of Ghana Union Movement was represented by his Vice Presidential Candidate, Evelyn Serwa Bonsu, Nana Kwame Bediako of The New Force was represented by his Aide.
Dignitaries present to witness the event included Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo-Dampare, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, and Reverend Dr Ernest Adu Gyamfi, the Chairperson, National Peace Council.
GNA