The leader of Ghana’s biggest opposition party, Nana Akuffo-Addo, has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) does not want violence in the November polls.

“This year is an election year where we will elect a new government. I am requesting that you pray to the Almighty God to preserve the peace of the nation in this year and the years ahead. We do not want any disturbances whatsoever to disrupt the peace of the nation,” Mr Akufo-Addo on Good Friday March 25, when he joined the chiefs and people of Techiman to celebrate this year’s Apo? festival.

The peace of the nation, he added, will be, to a large extent, enhanced by the conduct of the Electoral Commission. The creation of a fair, level playing field, he said, is of the utmost importance, so that the results of the election will be readily accepted by all stakeholders. Nana Akufo-Addo, thus, requested for prayers for the EC.

The festival, which commemorates the rejection of all forms of undesirable happenings, including diseases, poverty and other forms of calamities in the Techiman traditional area, was attended by NPP national and regional stalwarts, as well as NPP Members of Parliament from the region.

Nana Akufo-Addo, a special guest of the Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, Oseadeayo Akumfi Ameyaw IV, donated cartons of water, assorted drinks and a cash amount of GH¢5,000 towards the festival.

Addressing the gathering at the forecourt of the palace of the Techimanhene, the NPP flagbearer thanked the Omanhene for the honour done him through the invitation to the festival.

To the Omanhene, Nana Akufo-Addo said: “I am hopeful that in a year’s time, God-willing, you will invite me to this festival again, and, God-willing, when I join you in the festivities, I will be here as President Nana Akufo-Addo.” This was met with a rousing roar of approval from the packed forecourt of the palace.