Ghana has enjoyed relatively peaceful elections since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1992. As in all elections across the world, there have been some challenges but our elections have been successful so far.
There is however no doubt that as we draw closer to the elections, the political temperature in the country has risen quite steeply and with it, an atmosphere of uncomfortable anxiety.
The desire to win the people’s mandate should be an exercise that is pursued in a peaceful, decorous and all-embracing manner.
Unfortunately with exactly one week to go before the election, the political campaign rhetoric is strewn with invectives, threats and counter-threats.
There have been serious incidents of inter-party violence and these tensions continue to linger. Ghana cannot afford to derail the constitutional process it embraced some 25 years ago.
Eminent persons, political leaders, security agencies, institutions of state and the Electoral Commission have a combined responsibility to protect the peace and unity of this country.
The electorate needs to have confidence not only in the political parties but also in the security services, and the Electoral Commission. This cannot be compromised.
Even as we take note of the military head’s recent warning it’s important to emphasise the need for us, especially officers and the rank and file to be on the lookout for the possibility of being misused.
The Armed Forces has its reputation to guard. Intimidating posturing must be avoided at all costs in order to allow the will of the people to prevail.
Let us refrain from the use of harsh language. We are capable of being firm, but fair without being abusive, threatening or aggressive.
The use of threatening or menacing language at this point in time can be very ill placed and counter-productive. The head of state has wisely declared that no blood will be shed in his quest to stay on.
We have a few days to ensure that the process of electing a President and Members of Parliament is devoid of explosive, foul-scented gas.
While cautioning all stakeholders to operate above reproach, I also enjoin all Ghanaians to remain resolute and vigilant and ensure that the electoral process is transparent, free and fair.
Thank you.
Signed: Jerry John Rawlings
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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RAWLINGS THINK THE OLD WISE MEN WERE ***barred word***.NO WAY.DOES HE UNDERSTAND THE STATEMENT OR PHRASE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW? WHEN HE WAS RATTING AND SPEWING HIS HATRED AGAINST THE SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IN SOCIETY OUT OF ENVY,NEPOTISTIC, AND JEALOUS SENTIMENTS,DID HE THINK OF TOMORROW? YES TODAY IS THE TOMORROW HE NEVER THOUGHT OF.WHAT GHANA WILL BEFALL HIS FAMILY WHEN HE IS GONE,ONLY GOD KNOWS.SO NOW HE IS TRYING TO MAKE AMENDS,ITS TOO LATE TO CALL.RAWLINGS USED INTIMIDATING,HASH LANGUAGE,BULLYING TO BECOME PRESIDENT AND NOW HE IS CAUTIONING AGAINST? THEY SAY WONDERS SHALL NEVER END.ONLY TIME WILL TELL.
BUT WILL MAHAMA AND EC OSEI CHARLOTTE LISTEN ?
Nana Addo is not as st*pid as you in the ndc for you to choose who should organise presidential debates and for him to fall into that. If you want a stup*d fo*l don't go far to the flagstaff house. ***barred word*** tes3 wo,Akronfuo asefuo. President Rawlings want his party back idi*ts go form your own party or better still you can join Akua Donkor. Mmoa
Yea,yea the man has spoken, the owner and founder of the ndc wants his party back. President Rawlings want transparent,free and fair elections the governing party is his property which some kriminals have hijacked and using it to siphon the state's resources infact it's painful to see John mahama who didn't toil to form this ndc using it as his family and friends assets to destroy the nation and the legacy of the founder. I'm happy he has found meaning to the warning and threats by this CDS who is being used by Koku Anyidoho, Ibrahim Mahama, Kofi Adams, Asiedu Nketiah and John mahama himself to do their dirty work. It's very shameful and sad. Mr Kudalor the IGP and Air vice marshal Oje I want you to know ndc doesn't belong to Mahama and his family the founder of the party was a military man and the commander in chief of the Ghana armed forces before John mahama and the founder of the ndc hasn't endorsed this Mahama for him to legitimate candidate of the ndc so I don't understand why you want to legalize an illegitimate candidate and do his bidding. This man was chosen by a president who was endorsed by the founder and owner but hasn't endorsed this guy since he killed his boss and took his place so my question is are you in the army and the police because of this John mahama or Ghana? Ghana needs peace and we can't destroy our country because of john mahama who hasn't formed any party to lead. If he want to be president at all cost he needs to form his own party and come back to contest since the owner and founder of the party he calls himself a leader hasn't approved of his leadership. John mahama leave Ghana in peace and you Charlotte Osei the founder is warning you to desist from rigging the elections hence he is demanding transparency,free and fair elections. You need to pay heed to President Rawlings because it was his effort that brought back ndc to power,John mahama couldn't do sh*t.John Mahama Ghana needs Peace not warning and intimidation Shame on you Oje and Kudalor for allowing yourselves to be used.
The fuulishness of nana Addo is unparalleled. He thinks he can disrespect Ghanaians and ride of stoupid yeresesem slogan to power. You claim you want to lead Ghana, an opportunity has been granted you to debates other presidential candidates, you've run away and expect your dead mother and father to go and stand in scorching sun to vote for your arrrsss. All the media is behind you as well as some insane fuulls who call themselves prophets, so you think it's a done deal for you hence your refusal to be part of debates as well as address national issues by meeting the press. You think wining the presidency is a free gift. Come December 7, Ghanaians are going to punish you for this buuullshiit.
1. Flying of cash to Brazil 2014 for Blackstar players. 2. Missing parts of prepared speech at ECOWAS summit in Accra 3. Beating by rain at 2015 Independence Day parade in Accra 5. Addressing President of Kenya as the president of the Republic of Ghana at 2016 Independence Day parade. 6. Receipt of Ford SUV 'gift' from contractor. 7. Payment of bribe to Daniel Bugri Naabu.
Dr Bawumiah was afraid that Wopana would chop his beautiful wife Samira. We know how wopana has been chopping people's wives, especially John Jinapor's wife and then Charlotte Osei.
Don't be ***barred word*** by mere statement.All what we are witnessing is a sore legacy you bequeathed to the Nation Ghana. Disrespect to authorities, divide and rule, bigotry, hatred towards successful people and above all , LAWLESSNESS. Your fear is , now if anything happens, you have nowhere to run to. We all reap what we sow, whether good or bad.We are in this terrible quagmire.
Very wise statement. Let those who have ears listen. And I believe a super or greater majority of fellow Ghanaians will heed to this noble call from a noble son of the land.
One of the best statement from a statesman; Rawlings has indeed changed to a more united and balanced leader. Great admonishes