Peace, Stability Of Country Rests With You - Mogae Tells Ghanaians

A former President of Botswana, Mr Festus Gontebanye Mogae, says Ghanaians have their destiny in their own hands to ensure that they maintain the peace and stability of the country before, during and after the December elections. He cautioned that transparency and good management of the electoral processes were very critical at this stage because any mistake, however unintended, could cause misunderstandings and lead to serious problems. Delivering a lecture on the topic: �Credible elections and governance in Africa�, in Accra Tuesday, Mr Mogae said credible elections focused on inclusive participation and professional conduct of the electoral systems, processes and institutions. �Free and fair elections are not a guarantee but necessary conditions for good governance,� he underlined. . The lecture was organised by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and sponsored by a number of corporate institutions, including the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL). It formed part of CDD-Ghana�s Election 2012 programme intended to stimulate discussions on pertinent national issues ahead of the December elections. Among the audience, were former President J.J. Rawlings; the National Chairman of the biggest opposition party, the New Patriotic Party, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey; the Ameer and Missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana, Maulvi Dr Wahab Adam; the La Mantse, Nii Kpobi Tettey Tsuru III, and some members of the diplomatic corps. Mounting his lecture on a solid background as a former president, supervisor of elections in Botswana and winner of the prestigious Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, Mr Mogae articulated a number of good reasons why Ghana must live above reproach in the forthcoming elections. He said Ghana is one of the models of democracy in Africa and so it was important for Ghanaians to protect that image. He said elections were some of the most important ways for people to participate in the political process, particularly on issues affecting their lives, and also hold their leaders accountable. �Election in and by itself cannot guarantee good governance but it can facilitate or seriously hinder development if not properly managed,� he pointed out. While recommending some lessons from Botswana�s democratic experience since its independence in 1966 to Ghana, Mr Mogae underlined the need for an inclusive government because he said, good governance was inclusive and participatory.