NPP REMAINS COMMITTED TO A PEACEFUL AND STABLE GHANA: AKUFO-ADDO ASSURES CHRISTIAN COUNCIL

The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo, has stressed “the NPP will not waver in its commitment to ensuring that Ghana remains a peaceful and stable country.”

In a meeting with the Christian Council on Friday, the NPP leader took time to explain why the National Executive Committee of the party found it difficult to accept the results of the 2012 elections.

He said “the party came to this conclusion after thoroughly analysing evidence available to us, that the results that was declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) is not a true reflection of what actually transpired at the polls and we have therefore decided to challenge the results in the constitutionally designated forum, which is the Supreme Court.”

Nana Addo explained that the party also deemed it important, to call personally on some key organizations and give them a first-hand briefing of what the party's position is.

In a very passionate tone, the NPP Presidential Candidate said “a lot of propaganda is also making the rounds in some sections of the media that I am on some mission to destabilize our country and I find it equally necessary to come to you the Christian Council and assure you, that I, Nana Akufo-Addo, remain fully committed to the peace and stability of Ghana and will do no such thing to destroy it”

He said as Foreign Minister of Ghana, he saw with his eyes how conflicts can destroy nations and will be the last person to start any such thing in Ghana.

“I did a lot also, together with President Kufuor, to help bring some of those conflicts to an end and will not turn back to come and start one in my own country. It can never be the case.” Nana Addo assured.

He said “what we should not allow is the phenomenon that those who count the votes or even declare it, have a stronger voice than those who stand in the sun for long hours to cast their vote.”

Stressing the point, Nana Addo said “it is absolutely vital that the voice of the voter reigns supreme and not the counter, collator or declarer of the votes” adding that “in this particular instance the NPP has good reason to believe that that has not been the case.”

He also used the occasion to thank all Church leaders across the country, “because it is obvious that God listened to your intercessory prayers for peace and we are all living witnesses of that.”

He said “on the campaign, I visited a lot of your Churches across the country on Sundays to fellowship with your congregants and I cannot end without thanking all of you for that honour.

The Chairman of the Christian Council, Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, who is also the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana and Chairman of the Peace Council, who spoke on behalf of the group, commended Nana Akufo-Addo for choosing legal means to seek redress.

He said “the Christian Council will be the last to discourage any attempt to seek justice through the law courts.”

He said the Christian Council is monitoring the situation and “we are very glad that we have had this personal reassurance from Nana today.”

He praised the NPP for conducting itself in a peaceful manner so far and urged them to continue down the path of peace.

He said “there have been a few skirmishes here and there but in all, I believe the NPP has conducted itself well as a party and we all pray that it remains that way.”