The National Peace Council (NPC) and Manhyia Palace
is convening for the first time a joint high-level meeting with the 2012
presidential candidates as well as former Presidents Rawlings and Kufuor, the
President of the National House of Chiefs, the Chairman of the Electoral
Commission, and Inspector General of Police at the Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology (KNUST) in the Ashanti regional capital Kumasi.
Former President Rawlings just delivered his speech
saying it is significant that such a valuable forum to seek commitment and
consensus on a violence free election has been created.
Peacefmonline.com reproduces a copy of the speech
read by Mr Rawlings at the function.
ADDRESS BY H.E. JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS AT HIGH LEVEL
MEETING WITH THE 2012 CANDIDATES
TAKING A STAND AGAINST ELECTORAL VIOLENCE, IMPUNITY
AND INJUSTICE
GREAT HALL, KNUST, KUMASI – NOVEMBER 27, 2012
His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Most Reverend
Professor Emmanuel Asante, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor, His Excellency
President John Dramani Mahama, Honourable Presidential candidates, Her Lordship
Chief Justice Georgina Wood, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, the Inspector-General of
Police, Nananom, Niimei, Honourable Members of the National Peace Council,
representatives of Civil Society andPolitical Parties, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is significant that we have created an
invaluable forum today to further seek commitment and consensus on ensuring a
peaceful election devoid of violence, impunity and injustice.
Ghana has been blessed with peaceful political
transitions since we embraced the Fourth Republican Constitution in April 1992.
However many of the electoralprocesses that have led to these transitions have
been characterised by uncomfortable levels of tension and indeed several
instances of violence and threats of violence. As a people we have to be
thankful to God that none of these haveignited into full-blown conflict.
We often pride ourselves as peaceful, but the
nature of partisan politics and the tensions that come with fierce political
competition, mean we should not take our peace for granted.
Ghanaians are alarmed by the exchange of extremely
vitriolic and baselessly abusive language on our airwaves – our politics is now
characterised by how loud and abusive one can be, rather than the application
of moderate, toned-down logic and common sense in debating the issues. We
cannot sustain this and guarantee our peace. Such recklessness is a catalyst
for conflict.
I am in no way suggesting that people should be
meek and mild. People have a right to be responsibly vigilant during the
electoral process.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: All the
political parties have played a part in this unpleasant state of affairs and it
is a relief the presidential candidates are all gathered here today to express
their commitment to peace.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have just returned from
upcountry, interacting with traditional leaders and offering my support in their
quest for a peaceful election. Thetensions in some parts of the country are
real and should not be ignored.
Our political leadership have a huge responsibility
beyond this forum to give proper counsel to their supporters across the country
to desist from reckless impunity if we are to give true meaning to what is
happening here today. (What is the value of electoral victory if it is achieved
on violence?)
Peace cannot be guaranteed until we back our words
with responsibility and tolerance.
The media also have to recognise they have a huge
role to play in ensuring that the true value of today’s declaration is achieved
through the application of strict ethics during political discourse.
The security agencies have a responsibility to be
professional, impartial and forthright in the execution of their duties and the
judiciary has to resolve electoral disputes with swiftness and fairness, to
give the electoral process credibility.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: Ghana
has come too far in its political evolution. Let us not allow the next few days
to destroy these political gains. We cannot fail our people.
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Otumfuo
Osei Tutu and the National Peace Council for offering a platform for such an
important forum.
Gratitude should also go to the Institute of
Democratic Governance (IDEG) led by Dr. Akwetey, for successfully putting this
meeting together.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank
you.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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