General News of Friday, 16 December 2016

Source: Ernest Senanu Dovlo

Catholic Bishops call for transparent transition process

Most Rev. Philip Naameh - President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Most Rev. Philip Naameh - President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops

After what it describes as one of the most peaceful and successful elections that has resulted in a feat that has made Ghana once more a still brighter beacon of democracy in Africa and the world, members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference have said they are looking forward to a smooth and a transparent transfer of political power from the John Dramani Mahama led administration to the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led administration to be finalized on 7th January.

The Bishops made this known in a statement released on Wednesday, December 14 and signed by Most Rev. Philip Naameh, Archbishop of the Tamale Archdiocese and president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

The statement titled ‘congratulatory message from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference’ said, ”We congratulate the electoral commission for living up to the task, and organizing a very credible and transparent, free and fair elections. We likewise congratulate all other stakeholders such as the national peace council, security agencies, judiciary, civil society organizations, and faith based invaluable contributions to the success of the elections. We look forward to a peaceful, smooth and transparent transfer of power to the incoming government, and we call on all the parties and institutions concerned to be committed in the transition period.”

The Bishops also commend Ghanaians for maintaining the peace of the country and called for unity among all political parties.

“We congratulate especially all Ghanaians for conducting themselves so very well throughout the electoral process. The chorus on the lips of many Ghanaians is that ‘the outcome of the elections is a victory for Ghana and not just for any political party’. Let us therefore rekindle the spirit of national unity and move Ghana our beloved country forward” the statement said.