Former president and flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2020 General Elections, John Dramani Mahama has charged President Akuffo-Addo to make the security of civilians a key mandate in the upcoming elections.
He said that for the president to ensure this, he must do well to “resist the temptation to allow the use of violence to harm and intimidate innocent civilians”.
This, according to him is very important because incidents of violence that took place at the La-Bawaleshie Presbyterian Polling station during the Ayawaso-West Wuogon by-election; adding that the first step in ensuring the safety of citizens was for the president to stop shielding the perpetrators of violence at Ayawaso West-Wuogon. “On my path, I will continue to work for peace and I urge the president to do the same. And as a first step, I suggest, he stops shielding the perpetrators of the violence at Ayawaso West-Wuogon. He must have them face appropriate sanctions” he said.
Addressing the nation in his new year’s message yesterday, he went on to add that the elections this year demands more of us as the whole world expects nothing short of inspiration from the country. By this, he indicated that the world’s eyes will be fixed on Ghana. ” We need to meet the highest standards set by previous electoral commissions and even better it. I do not say it lightly when I say that the 2020 elections will be a pivotal event for our country. It is one that will determine the destiny of our nation. And I believe at this critical stage of our nation’s life that Ghanaians deserve more than ever, a government that is honest and truthful with them. A government that takes responsibility and gives them results not excuses or blame. A government that opens the opportunities of our country to all its people and not just a few” he added.
Giving a review of the year 2019, the NDC flagbearer described it as one that had a mix of happiness as well as pain and anguish. He said it was was difficult for Ghanaian businesses, something he says went on to affect the quality of life in many Ghanaian homes. He goes on to add that “In my rounds, I have met many business persons who are in despair; that their enterprises are collapsing and they can no longer hold things together”.
He however adds that despite all these, we have been gifted with a new opportunity to “start afresh”. Quoting from the late Prof. Awoonor, Former president Mahama said “One of our nation’s foremost literary icons Professor Kofi Awoonor declared in one of his writings…I believe in hope. But even in its absence, I believe in the possibility of hope. Therefore, even in our darkest and most difficult moments, we must remember to hold on to hope. Let us hope and work for a better and prosperous Ghana in 2020 and beyond”.
The former president also encouraged all Ghanaians to contribute to the success of the country by actively involving themselves especially when it comes to decision making. He states that “we must all work together to build our beloved country. I urge you all not to despair. I urge you not to be passive. And most of all, I urge you not to be apathetic. For there’s nothing to gain in apathy except regret. If we are apathetic, others will make the decisions for us”.
In his concluding statement, John Mahama reiterates his commitment to continue working for peace concluding with the words 4″may God grant us a peaceful, prosperous and victorious new year. May God bless our homeland Ghana and may God bless us all”.
