GHANA WILL MAKE IT (SEPT 29)

PRESIDENT J.A. Kufuor has assured the nation that the government is on top of the security situation in the country and will not allow anybody to employ mischief to reverse the democratic successes so far achieved.
He, therefore, allayed the fears of all Ghanaians of a possible political turmoil in the country before, during or after the December elections.
Addressing the Ghanaian community in London on Saturday, President Kufuor said, in reaction to concerns over political conflicts and tension in the run-up to the elections, that the government would continue to conduct its affairs peacefully.
The President’s assurance soothes the ears, but it is our expectation that all organised groups and individuals will make a pledge to promote fair and violence-free elections.
It is appropriate for the President to allay the fears of Ghanaians over the current security situation in the country, following recent acts of political violence and certain developments that tend to undermine national security.
We, however, believe that beyond the assurance given by the President, all the political actors, including the security agencies and the citizenry, will play by the rules governing the game to ensure that nothing untoward happens during the electioneering.
Our worry is that despite our belief in the cardinal principle of equality before the law, there have been instances when some elements have acted with impunity because of their perceived influence in society.
That is why it is imperative, particularly during the run-up to the elections, to give a clear signal to all and sundry about the need to maintain a zero tolerance for violence.
What we yearn for is an environment to organise free and fair elections that will lead to the inauguration of an undisputed President to provide the needed leadership for the attainment of the country’s aspiration to become a middle-income country by 2015.
We do not think Ghanaians need to be reminded of the fact that no progress and development can take place without peace. It, therefore, behoves all political leaders to preach peace and abide by the Political Parties Code of Conduct.
This will ensure that Ghana remains at peace with itself for the nurturing of a conducive atmosphere for any leader to implement the vision of his party and the nation as a whole.
The DAILY GRAPHIC will continue to remind all Ghanaians of the need to maintain peace and tranquillity in the country. We shall behave like the proverbial blacksmith who always strikes while the iron is hot.
Therefore, the DAILY GRAPHIC will belabour the issue of maintaining peace during the run-up to the December polls in the hope that public opinion will weigh heavily on our political leaders to promote free and fair polls.
For this reason, we call on all well-meaning citizens to endorse or support the process for peaceful polls put in motion by organisations such as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the Methodist Church and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes that the time has come for our political leaders to educate their supporters to stop labelling the polls as a do-or-die affair. The December polls is a normal affair like the four previous polls.
We think the call to arms or violence by some politicians is objectionable and an affront to our status as a model state on the African continent. Consequently, let every Ghanaian reject violence and expose those who preach the hate campaign in the country.