The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has called on President Akufo-Addo to come out and speak as the father of the nation about his commitment to hand over power peacefully.
He said that as the country prepares for the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections on December 7, it is prudent for the president to address the entire nation and ensure that he will hand over power to any candidate who emerges victorious in the election.
Addressing the gathering at the NDC’s 2024 Campaign launch in Tamale on Saturday, July 27, 2024, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah said the president must set the tone for this election.
“You are delivering as the leader of the new patriotic party. We are yet to hear a clear message from you, Mr. President, committing yourself to peaceful, fair, and transparent elections in Ghana, committing yourself to respect the wishes of Ghanaians, and putting yourself in readiness to hand over power peacefully to whoever is chosen by the good people of the Republic. Four months is too short”, Chairman Asiedu Nketiah said.
The National Chairman of NDC noted that all previous governments before Nana Akufo-Addo had declared on presidential platforms their readiness and preparedness to ensure a free, fair, and transparent election and to hand over power during their regime hence, the need for the current president to do the same.
He mentioned that eight years ago the NDC and President John Dramani Mahama handed over to Akufo-Addo a peaceful country in one piece without the shed of any blood or controversy.
“President Rawlings declared his preparedness to hand over power to anybody who won elections one clear year before the elections. President Atta Mills, President Kuffuor and President Mahama all did the same. We are ready to hear what you will say.
What you have said already, is that you will not hand over until you hand over to the candidate of your party. We consider it to be platform talk. Come out and speak as the father of the nation. You must set the tone for this election, he reiterated.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah emphasized that despite his alliance with the NPP, President Akufo Addo must own up to his responsibility as the first gentleman of the land and ensure a transparent, peaceful election in Ghana.
He added that there should be a smooth transition to the incoming president without a drop of blood coming out.
“And when the people decide, be ready to hand over,” he continued.
The NDC’s National Chairman also urged the president to call on his appointees and advise them against abusing the power the country has entrusted to them to pursue their political interests.
He stressed that the NDC will be resistant to any such instance of abuse.
“Mr. President, we beg you, you are the commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. You are aware of the security sector and that you are interested in peaceful and transparent elections. We will obey because you are the commander-in-chief. Don’t hide under any cover. You are the one giving the wrong instructions. Own up and tell them that the power of the masses is stronger than any army or police in the whole world”, he said.
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