We've Nothing To Hide — Veep

Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has made this known that the government intends to invite foreign and local election observers to this year's general election because the country has nothing to hide.

“We have championed democracy and the rule of law, freedom of the media and, above all, ruled transparently and it is for this reason that we open our doors to observers to see how transparent we will take this process through,” he added.

The Vice-President announced when the Deputy Head of the Department of International Co-operation of the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, Mr Frank Spengler, paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Castle, Osu.

Mr Spengler and his group are in the country as part of their sub-regional tour to review the work of political parties to enable them to play a more meaningful role in enhancing democracy, the rule of law, among others.

Alhaji Mahama said since the New Patriotic Party (NPP) assumed the reins of government almost eight years ago, it had committed itself to ensuring that democratic principles were made more solid.

He mentioned the enhancement of the rule of law, the creation of an environment to enhance the freedom of the media, as well as good governance.

The Vice-President said Ghana had made a name for itself in the world and was, therefore, considered as an icon of democracy.

“We are working hard to ensure that the democratic principles in the country gain even firmer roots here,” he added.

Alhaji Mahama said the government had therefore made preparations to ensure that this year's elections were conducted in a peaceful, transparent, free and fair manner.

He said the government had also put structures in place to ensure a smooth transition from the present administration to the next one, “whichever party it may be, to ensure continuous peace”.

He said the government would welcome any assistance from credible institutions such as the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung in that direction.

For his part, Mr Spengler described the government's request and invitation to foreign observers to observe the election process as laudable and welcome.

“We normally do not have this kind of open invitations for us to observe elections and we find the openness of the government a step in the right direction,” he added.

Mr Spengler said observing elections across the world also gave the observers the opportunity to learn and improve on what pertained in their countries.

He expressed the hope that this year's elections would be different, as they had always been, and wished Ghana well.

Story by Charles Benoni Okine