Six defeated Presidential Candidates in Election 2020 have called on Ghanaians to eschew post-election violence amidst the current political tension brewing up in the country.
The Presidential Candidates; Mr Hassan Ayariga of the All People’s Congress (APC), Mr Percival Kofi Akpaloo of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Lawyer Ivor Kobina Greenstreet of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Henry Herbert Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Mr David Apasera of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, running mate to the Independent Candidate all stated that peace was key.
Mr Ayariga who spoke on behalf of the six at a media engagement noted that Ghana was bigger than any political party or figure and even though it was hurtful to lose in elections, the best decision was for all candidates to pursue a collective goal of protecting Ghana’s peace.
“Every human institution faces challenges that sometimes undermines its mandate, but let us put Ghana first. Let us not disagree with the Electoral Commission’s declaration, but rather accept it.
“I hear a lot of people saying without justice, there can be no peace, but I am of the view that without peace, no one can seek justice. We want to have a peaceful Ghana and not a Ghana in pieces,” he said.
He said the reported brutalities that occurred in some polling stations with the Military and Police alleged to be involved were incidents that marred the peace and stability enjoyed by citizens.
Mr Ayariga said the duty of the security agencies was to protect citizen’s lives and property, but not to be a threat to their lives, and therefore, called on government to investigate the allegations and bring all guilty parties to book.
He said on Thursday, December 17, 2020, the defeated Presidential Candidates would pay a courtesy call on former President John Dramani Mahama, the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to dialogue on peaceful resolution of any challenges.
A similar visit would be made to President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo to call supporters of the New Patriotic Party to order.
Mr Akpaloo on his part said any act that denied a nation of peace equally denied its youth access to jobs and progress.
“I do not understand why some youth go about causing destruction for political parties. This act will go against them in the long run when the few jobs we have are destroyed and no investor wants to come here.
“None of us politicians will ask our children to go out on the streets to demonstrate, because we do not want to tarnish our image. Let us also not do things that will globally tarnish Ghana’s image,” he said.
Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah said all dissatisfied parties should legally channel their displeasure through the court because it was the only institution with the mandate to give justice.
He said even though demonstrations were equally democratic, steps that could be used to express displeasure, such as demonstrations could sometimes escalate into uncontrollable calamities.
Mr Greenstreet reminded President Nana Akufo-Addo and Former President Mahama of the Peace Pact they signed prior to the 2020 elections.
He said they pledged to respect the election outcome and be ambassadors of peace, thus, he called on them to honour the details contained in the Pact and call their supporters to order.
Mr Apasera said every election had only one candidate emerging the winner and for any nation to be able to organize another free and fair election, it must first have peace.
“Ghana is all we have and if we don’t have a peaceful country, there is no chance for anyone to have another free and fair election. Therefore, it beholds on all of us to fight for peace,” he said.
GNA
