We first of all extend peaceful compliments to all who in diverse ways have ensured that our beloved country has continued to enjoy relative peace and tranquillity in spite of the many unpleasant commentaries that had bedevilled our airwaves recently by selfish individuals, who in their pursuit for political power continue to inflame passion.

We also extend our salute to the Judges of the Supreme Court who have endeared themselves to Ghanaians for the level-headed manner they have treated the electoral petition so far.

However, as Ghanaians anxiously await the judgment of the electoral petition in some weeks to come, it is our ardent call that in whatever way the outcome may be, we all must be proud that, the patriotism, servitude and patience of Ghanaians have been tested and the ultimate winner is mother Ghana.

We all must know that, the only country we have to call a home is Ghana, and there could be no better place than home. Some of us who travelled across the world still hold high with pride, the recognition the world over that, Ghanaians are among the most patriotic and nationalistic people. We hope that this positive global reputation of Ghana is one no Ghanaian will wish to ever lose no matter their political interest.

Our country has continued to produce very astute leaders who have served the international community with distinction. Most of them after their term of office, decline the luxuries of the western world, and come home to serve mother Ghana. That is how patriotic and nationalistic we are as Ghanaians. Let us think of the excellent global image created by prominent sons of our blessed land, such as Kofi Annan at the United Nations, John Agyekum Kufuor as Chairman of AU, Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah at the Commonwealth, Dr K.Y. Amoako at the World Bank and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Dr Ibn Chambas at the ECOWAS and many others who are well respected globally.

As we are aware, the National Peace Council is doing all they can to sensitize our citizens on the need for peace. We the Citizens United for Peace want to admonish all Ghanaians to ensure that the peace and peaceful co-existence that we enjoy today should be upheld and not to be destroyed by greedy and self-seeking politicians. We entreat all to hold high the flag of Ghana with the self –belief that, the nation Ghana is bigger and will forever be bigger than any political groupings. And that, the Presidency of our dear country is not a family property for anyone to claim as a birthright hence employ all evil means to achieve this selfish desire.

We all must ensure that, no one shall continue to hold our country to ransom, our country must move forward. If politicians have succeeded in dividing us as a nation, let us not allow them to take our love for motherland into the abyss. In all we do, let us consider Ghana first. This is the time to show our patriotism and nationalism to the country our forefathers fought for. Let unity and our love for one another be stronger now than ever before.

Our neighbouring countries of Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Liberia are still reeling in their efforts to come back from years of civil unrest and we cannot see our country which is an envy of many for our nascent democracy to follow such disastrous trends. A disastrous trend that will lead to suffering; refugees; death and the loss of dreams for the youthful generation.

We want to send a strong warning to politicians, and would-be troublemakers that, we Ghanaians are no fools to destroy what we have laboured for and as such will refer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution, any person(s) who will try to subvert our peace and stability. Our group also wants to state emphatically that, any form of uncivil utterances that have a tendency to cause mayhem during and after the judgment of the electoral petition shall be duly registered with the ICC.

We urge all Ghanaians to exercise maximum restraint and to emphasize the importance of finding peaceful solutions to addressing all absurdities, frustrations and all disappointments. We must let wisdom guide us, so that self-seeking politicians may not distract us by their greed, love of wealth, pride and desire for political power.

As we await the verdict of the nine (9) Judges, one thing is certain, we cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude towards it, learn the necessary lessons and think clearer about the future. Let’s uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Let us tear out arrogance and seed humility. Let us exchange love for hate, thereby making the present comfortable and the future of our country a promising one- if I may borrow from the words of the famous American Poet.

We also wish to use this time to call on prominent statesmen, who are well respected in our Ghanaian society and beyond, the Asantehene, Otumfou Osei Tutu II, former President Jerry Rawlings, Busumuru Kofi Annan, John Agyekum Kuffour, Ekow Spio-Garbrah, the Agbogbomefia, Togbe Afede XIV, religious leaders, trade unionists, and many others to come together and to sound a word of caution to politicians to spare Ghanaians the needless anxiety in their quest for political power. They must be civil in their utterances so as not to heighten unnecessary tension in our beloved country.

The future of Ghana belongs to all of us and we can assure those who have the courage to walk the path of peace that they will have a strong and steady partner in the youth of our country.

We must rest assured that Ghana will be the ultimate winner. We shall continue to live in peace and harmony and nothing, we mean absolutely nothing untoward will ever happen to our dear nation. Let us all buy a flag of Ghana and show the world that, we shall forever remain one people with a common destiny.

Thank you to all peace –loving Ghanaians.

Long live our President John Dramani Mahama

Long live our homeland Ghana

Signed:

Justice Dansu Norvor (justiceshalla@yahoo.com)

Secretary

Citizens United for Peace