Gov't Will Uphold EC's Decision
President Kufuor shaking hands with Dr Ibn Chambas PRESIDENT JOHN Agyekum Kufuor has stated that he will use his high office as Ghana's outgoing President to protect the integrity of the nation especially during the post-election period.
He said once the Electoral Commission (EC), which has the constitutional mandate to declare the results of the presidential run-off carries out its duty, government will uphold the declaration and ensure its implementation.
The President made the statement at the Golden Jubilee House when General Abdullahi Sarki Makthar, National Security Advisor to the Nigerian President who led a delegation sent by the chairman of the AU, Umaru Yar'Adua to monitor the unfolding political scenarios in Ghana after the December 28 presidential run-off election, called on him.
He was accompanied by Mohammed Ibn Chambas of the ECOWAS Committee and Jibrin Maigari, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The President said Ghana would not stand alone during these times and would count on the AU for support.
He called on the contestants in the presidential run-off, Nana Akufo-Addo and Prof. John Evans Atta Mills to accept whatever outcome that would be announced by the Electoral Commission “and not do anything untoward”.
As the outgoing President, he said he would expect people to play by the rule as stipulated by the constitution of Ghana and appealed to the leaders of the two political parties to entreat their supporters not to go beyond boundaries that would mar the beauty of Ghana's democracy.
“If any group decides not to respect the rule of law, then it would unravel the constitution and integrity of the constitution,” he remarked.
He gave the assurance that Ghana would not disappoint the AU and its neighbours.
President Kufuor stated that the results of the first round of the election showed that it was a close contest between the two presidential candidates and the second was even closer.
General Makthar, speaking on behalf of the Nigerian President, said his country has interest in the unfolding scenarios in the political dynamics in Ghana.
“What happens in Ghana has repercussions on Nigeria and other African countries,” he stated.
He praised Ghana for the peaceful election and added that “Ghanaians should pride themselves for going through the second round of the presidential election without rancour and violence”.
The Nigerian Security Advisor was quick to add that post-election period was the actual test of democracy and expressed the hope that Ghana's democracy would be watered with tolerance and understanding at this point.
He called on the winner to be magnanimous while the loser exercises understanding and humility bearing in mind that there would be another time.
If there is any disagreement, he said, it should not be at the expense of the country and its citizenry but the aggrieved party should resort to the appropriate procedures for redress.