Former President JJ Rawlings is worried over the rise in political temperature ahead of next week’s general elections.

In a statement issued Wednesday, November 30, the former President said the desire to win the people’s mandate should be an exercise that is pursued in a peaceful, decorous and all-embracing manner.

Excerpts of the statement below:

Unfortunately with exactly one week to go before the election, the political campaign rhetoric is strewn with invectives, threats and counter-threats.

There have been serious incidents of inter-party violence and these tensions continue to linger. Ghana cannot afford to derail the constitutional process it embraced some 25 years ago. Eminent persons, political leaders, security agencies, institutions of state and the Electoral Commission have a combined responsibility to protect the peace and unity of this country.

The electorate needs to have confidence not only in the political parties but also in the security services, and the Electoral Commission. This cannot be compromised. Let us refrain from the use of harsh language. We are capable of being firm, but fair without being abusive, threatening or aggressive.