AKUFFO ADDO, RAWLINGS UNITE FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, yesterday paid a courtesy call on former President Jerry John Rawlings.
 

The two conferred at the Ridge residence of the former president, where both men discussed issues of peace, and electoral processes.
 

The NPP flagbearer indicated that the gesture was to enable both parties, put aside their differences and work together for the common good of Ghanaians, a move the former President conceded was a “real bonanza; we've never seen this in Ghana before."
 

According to Nana Akuffo Addo, “The time has come in our country where the principle activists in our political scene find a way to talk to each other rather than attack each other which has been the case in our country for a very long time. I am very, very concerned; all of us are in making sure that these elections in December are conducted in a good spirit and peaceful manner.”
 

Former President Rawlings could not hide his sentiments. He touched on issues ranging from the upcoming elections, corruption and the need for presidential aspirants in the various political parties, to prioritize the needs of Ghanaians.
 

He expressed the hope that “this meeting will also send a signal to our supporters that we will be expecting nothing less but vigilance and a free and fair election devoid of provocations and to avoid pockets of areas which we may consider our strong holds.”
 

He charged Nana Akuffo Addo to address the challenges facing the various sectors of the economy, whilst ensuring that resources were used judiciously and shared fairly.
 

“I know what I go through each time I go to the village and am told the difficulty in having to pay for malaria tablets, school fees, etc. Considering how much we’ve gone through and the resources available in this country, if judiciously used, quite frankly, Ghana should be flying. The presidential candidates if they could concentrate a lot of efforts in fighting the corruption within the system because it’s eating away the fabric of our society,” he noted.
 

Also raised was the safety of NDC party faithfuls, should the NPP win the elections come December.
 

“What we expect if either John Mahama or Nana to win this election, should you be able to win this election, can the NDC supporters enjoy the same degree of security and freedom under your government as the NPP has enjoyed under the Mills/Mahama government. They’ve been very nervous and I know what a good deal of them went through under the Kufuor regime and that’s part of the nervousness creating this tension.”
 

Nana Akuffo Addo pledged his commitment in this regard.
 

“I know what happens when there’s a change of power; that basic civil, political, civil rights …are not in endengared in anyway. I think it’s very important because that’s what we have to get to in Ghana. A situation where by a change of power in itself doesn’t pose a threat or danger to a particular section of our society and I’m very keen that that signal goes out to the society.”
 

Both parties were also of the opinion that it is about time Ghanaians benefited from the natural resources of the country and continue to enjoy the peace everyone has worked for.