At the signing of the Presidential Peace Pact organized by the National Peace Council, former President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate for the 2024 elections, reaffirmed his party’s unwavering commitment to sustaining peace in Ghana while demanding accountability for previous electoral violence.
Addressing the gathering, former President Mahama underscored the pivotal role of peace in ensuring the preservation of democracy and fostering national prosperity.
Mahama began by pledging the NDC’s dedication to building a peaceful and prosperous Ghana, where the aspirations of all citizens can be realized.
“Our active participation in this event is a testament to its importance in the overall efforts to guarantee the preservation of our nation’s peace in the aftermath of the 2024 general elections.
“We cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintaining peace throughout this process during and after the elections. Peace is the foundation upon which our democracy is built and it must be preserved during these critical times”.
Former President John Dramni Mahama, NDC 2024 Presidential Candidate
The former President cautioned against the dire consequences of electoral violence, noting the lessons drawn from other countries. “We cannot afford to travel the same path. As patriotic citizens, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that our country remains a beacon of peace and stability in our subregion,” he added.
Calls for Responsibility and Ethical Conduct
Former President Mahama urged all stakeholders to exercise caution and responsibility in their actions and language. He emphasized that while political banter is expected, divisive rhetoric, hate speech, and inflammatory comments must be eschewed.
He noted that instead, political engagement should be guided by temperance, tolerance, understanding, and respect for differing opinions. Addressing political leaders, he advocated for issue-based campaigning over insults and baseless allegations.
“On our part as political leaders, we must promote political unity and peace in our campaign and avoid unsubstantiated allegations and focus on issues-based campaigning; we must compete based on ideas and not insult”.
Former President John Dramni Mahama, NDC 2024 Presidential Candidate
He also commended the security agencies for their efforts in maintaining law and order and called on them to remain impartial and professional to allow citizens to vote without fear or intimidation.
To media practitioners, former President Mahama appealed for balanced and accurate reporting, discouraging sensationalism and misinformation. He highlighted the critical role of the media in fostering understanding and promoting credible information, particularly during elections.
Concerns Over Past Electoral Incidents
While expressing optimism about the peace pact’s intentions, the NDC 2024 Presidential Candidate raised significant concerns about past electoral incidents that have eroded public trust.
He referenced the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections, where masked operatives were reported to have shot at innocent citizens, and the lack of accountability for the killing of eight citizens during the 2020 elections.
According to him, these events and the refusal by the government to act on the recommendations of the Emile Short Committee do not inspire confidence in Ghanaians, asserting that the government’s inaction casts doubt on its commitment to peace.
“Again, the inactions of the government in the face of the murder of eight of our citizens during the 2020 elections cast a shadow of doubts on the government’s commitment to maintain the peace in the country. All the efforts at building peace during and after the 2024 general elections would come to not or would be undermined if there is mistrust and insincerity.
“Mistrust is often built through a mismatch between words and gaslighting on the part of those in authority. There is reason to be concerned that the signing of this pact though well-intended could amount to nothing if it is not followed by concrete actions that would guarantee peace and stability by stakeholders and the government
Former President John Dramni Mahama, NDC 2024 Presidential Candidate
Former President Mahama questioned the potential use of thugs disguised as security personnel during the elections, urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest and detain any such individuals.
“These are legitimate questions that must certainly be accounted for to give true meaning to this peace pact lest it remain a piece of paper. We in the NDC have in the recent past expressed our reservation and we look forward to hearing conclusively on the steps taken to address these issues.”
Former President John Dramni Mahama, NDC 2024 Presidential Candidate
In his concluding remarks, former President Mahama called on all Ghanaians to work collectively to ensure peaceful elections, emphasizing that peace is a legacy owed to future generations.
“Let’s all pledge to promote peace during these elections. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to preserve the peace and stability of our country,” he urged.
His remarks serve as a reminder of the shared responsibility of stakeholders—political parties, security agencies, media practitioners, and citizens alike—in safeguarding Ghana’s hard-earned peace and democratic progress.
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