Politics of Friday, 23 August 2013

Source: joyonline

Peace campaign is paying off – IDEG

Executive Director of Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) believes several appeals for peace is paying off as the country awaits a Supreme Court ruling on an election petition to determine who really won the 2012 presidential elections.

He said this in connection to conciliatory gestures made by the Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress at the 21st anniversary celebration of the opposition New Patriotic Party.

Dr. Kwabena Adjei mounted an NPP platform calling for unity and more inclusiveness of the opposition parties in the political administration of the country.

His call comes as nine justices of the Supreme Court are preparing to give a ruling on an election petition to determine who really won the December 2012 presidential elections – NPP’s Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo or NDC’s John Mahama.

Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey said the initial public anxiety surrounding the hearing of Ghana’s election petition in court has reduced. He said this is because of peace campaigns organized by chiefs, religious leaders and key political actors, to prevail on leaders and supporters of the NPP and the governing NDC to accept the verdict of the court no matter who wins.

The executive director said despite some condemnation of various peace calls, the campaign has brought about a reduction in tension and opening space for political dialogue as seen in Dr. Kwabena Adjei’s call for more inclusiveness.

"People are now also assured and relaxed to now look at the bigger issues …if you talk you don't fight," he said.

He praised the NDC chairman saying his gesture shows “it is all coming together in opening the space”