President Nana Akufo-Addo has called for this year’s elections to be free and fair, pointing out that democracies are grounded on viable elections.
He noted that no true democrat can disregard the importance of elections and the sanctity of the ballot, and added, “this year, like we have done on eight (8) other preceding occasions, we will go to the polls to elect the President and my successor.”
“It must, thus, be in our collective interest to ensure that the rules and regulations for the conduct of this year’s elections are fair and transparent, and that we all develop respect for them, a respect that should not be a function of whether you win or lose,” he asserted.
Addressing the nation on the eve of Constitutional Day, which is marked every January 7 on the national calendar, the President called on all stakeholders – the Electoral Commission, the political parties and their leaders, the electorate and citizenry – to work to ensure the consolidation of Ghanaian democracy, and help the nation to maintain its pride of place on the continent as a model of democracy in Africa.
“At the end of it all, there should be no lingering doubt about the legitimacy of the election, and the winning candidates, on the conclusion of the process, should receive the unalloyed support of all,” he intimated.
He explained that this is the way to strengthen Ghana’s democracy and the peace and stability of the nation.
President Akufo-Addo promised to do whatever it takes to ensure the smooth transition of power to his successor when his term of office comes to an end.
He stressed the need for Ghanaians to put all hands on deck to help achieve this feat, noting, “By common consent, all well-meaning Ghanaians agree that the democratic form of governance is the most preferable, and we must do everything possible to guarantee the longevity of the 4th Republic.”
He pledged, “I shall continue to do just that,” whilst assuring that “it will not be under my watch that any adventurer will seek to torpedo the democratic path on which we have embarked.”
The President again promised to help “see to it that we have a free, fair and transparent election in December 2024. You have my word!” and that “Ghana will be the victor of such an outcome, not any individual party or candidate.”
The President also urged Ghanaians to “continue to embrace the basic values of the Constitution,” which he stated, “was founded on the principles of democratic accountability and respect for the rule of law, human rights and individual liberty and freedom.”
Alongside this freedom, he said, “We must, with the same passion and commitment, uphold our individual and collective responsibility to contribute proactively toward the greater good of society.”
“This is the vision of a free society,” he stated, adding that “no society can be truly free unless its citizens feel the need to embrace both liberty and duty, hard work and compassion.”
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent
