[ 2016-12-02 ]

Ed Mahama: ‘I conceded to Rawlings despite stolen verdict’
The flag bearer of the People’s National
Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama, has assured
Ghanaians that he stands for peace no matter the
outcome of the December 7 polls.

“I conceded to ex-president Rawlings in 1996, in
spite of the stolen verdict. Again in 2000, I was
a candidate and was the first to concede and
endorse ex-president John Agyekum Kufour for the
second round,” he told a gathering of
international observers and other dignitaries at a
meeting under the auspices of the National Peace
Council in Accra on Thursday, December 1.

According to him, he embarked on these acts to
preserve the peace of the nation.

He added: “Without peace, the country cannot
have development, so everyone should commit to
peace”.

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has said Ghana
will not be plunged into war under his watch
saying he has more to lose than anyone else should
that eventuality befall the country and has, thus,
pledged his utmost commitment to peace in this
year’s presidential and parliamentary elections
.

Mr Mahama said Ghana’s democracy and peace are
“too precious to be gambled away on the altar of
an unbridled quest to attain or to hold on to
political power”.

“I John Dramani Mahama wish to state my utmost
commitment to peaceful and successful
elections,” he pledged, adding: “Indeed, I
have more to lose than any of the candidates here
if this country breaks out in violence.

“I’ve been involved in politics of this
country since 1996. My disposition as a nonviolent
person is widely known and acknowledged.

“All through my campaign, I have urged my
followers to work for a peaceful election. I’ll
continue to do so in the time left, before and
after the elections and it’s my wish that my
fellow contenders will do so as they wind up their
campaigns.

“I pray to the almighty God that it shall not be
my portion and that may it not be under my watch
that our dear nation Ghana will be consumed by
violence.

“I pledge to carry out my dual role both as
president of the republic and as a presidential
candidate in these forthcoming elections in a
manner that shall preserve the peace and stability
of our dear nation.

“I declare publicly my respect for the Electoral
Commission and the authentic results that shall be
declared by this commission. I declare my
confidence in the people of Ghana to make a choice
of their own freewill of whom to lead them in the
next four years.

“…No amount of political power is worth the
shedding of one drop of blood of any Ghanaian.
Violence cannot be a reflection of a genuine
desire to serve. I have absolute confidence in
Ghana’s capacity to successfully clear the
upcoming democratic hurdle on 7 December, 2016 and
stay the course of economic and democratic
transformation that I have initiated over the last
four years,” he said.

Source - Classfmonline

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