Willingness To Concede Defeat Is Essential In 2012- ISODEC

A leading member of the International Social Development Centre (ISODEC), Dr. Steve Manteaw, has lambasted Nana Addo, NPP Presidential candidate, for his seditious slogan "All die be die" as he stressed that the infamous "All die be die" 'shows a very uncompromising stand in terms of willingness to accept election result' and as a result he 'will find it really difficult to appreciate or think that Nana Akufo Addo will readily accept defeat.

According to him, Nana Addo's comment is in distasteful manner and an indication of his quest to arrogate power to himself by fair or foul means.

Notwithstanding this, he strongly believes the advocacy of peace is almost impossible without full cooperation from the political parties in the country and therefore any attempt to cause violence would imperil the image of the country.

Dr. Steve Manteaw said this during an interview on the Big bite morning show on X fm 95.1.

Speaking to the host Abena Asiedua Tekorang, he also urged all political parties and activists to ensure peace during the general elections this year. He implored political leaders, religious leaders and the entire nation to maintain a political climate devoid of seditious remarks, insults and innuendos which according to him is a panacea for a peaceful election.

Dr. Steve Manteaw anticipates a non-violent but smooth dispensation of power to the emerging victor in the 2012 general elections. Explaining further, he said the impending election is not a "do and die" affair and warned against any form of incitement that could cause mayhem in the December election this year.

To him, free and fair elections are not the only recipe for peace if the political characters repudiate the results on their selfish gains. He keenly expressed that, even if the country records a free and transparent election, the onus lies on the political parties, specifically the two pivotal parties -New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC)-

"In a situation like this, it is not really peaceful and fair elections that determine whether there will be violence or not but rather the willingness of the losing side to accept defeat. You can have a peaceful and fair election but if any of the losing parties refuses to accept the result, then that could be recipe for the kinds of violence and the kind of political crisis..." he cautioned.

He fervently advocated the need for all parties to sift their expressions and also charged the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE) to enhance awareness and educate electorates on the importance of a peaceful election.

Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Xfm 95.1/Accra/Ghana