Ghana Elections 2024: Bawumia, Mahama and other presidential candidates sign peace pact

The presidential candidates in Election 2024 met in Accra on Thursday to sign a peace pact.

The two leading candidates Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former President John Dramani Mahama for the National Democratic Congress were personally at the Kempinski Hotel to sign the peace pact towards the general election. 

The 4th Peace Pact is under the auspices of National Peace Council and the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG).

All 12 presidential candidates were present to sign the peace pact. They are Mahamudu Bawumia (NPP), Daniel Augustus Lartey (GCPP), Christian Kwabena Andrews (GUM), Kofi Akpaloo (LPG), Mohammed Frimpong (NDP), Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Kumankuma (CPP), John Dramani Mahama (NDC), Hassan Ayariga (APC), Kofi Koranteng (Independent), George Twum-Barima-Adu (independent), Nana Kwame Bediako (Independent) and Alan John Kwadwo Kyeremateng (Independent)

Also present at the event are the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, the Chief Imam, Sheik Nuhu Sharabutu, former ECOWAS President, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas , Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa , and other presidential aspirants.

Also signing the peace pact were the other 10 presidential candidates or their representatives.

The signing of the peace pact by the presidential candidates or their representatives supervised by the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, yesterday served as an undertaking by the presidential candidates to uphold and promote peace.

Dr Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), before signing the pact, expressed his commitment to conduct his affairs in a manner that respected the laws of the country.

“I wholeheartedly pledge my commitment to work within the rules and collaborate with all to ensure a peaceful election. I am full of hope that all of us leaders and our followers will live up to the peace pact,” he said.

Former President Mahama, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said, he would collaborate with all stakeholders to promote peace.

“Let us pledge to promote peace. Let us work together to create an environment that is conducive to free, fair and peaceful elections. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to preserve the peace that we have enjoyed for so long,” he said. 

Peace pact

The Presidential Election Peace Pact, organised under the auspices of the National Peace Council (NPC) and the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), was on the theme: “Pursuing Peaceful Elections, Non-Violence and Justice”.

 Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia (right) exchanging pleasantries with some flag bearers of political parties at the signing of the Peace Pact in Accra. Pictures: SAMUEL TEI ADANO

This is the fourth time the NPC and IDEG have organised the signing of the Presidential Peace Pact after similar ones were held in 2020, 2016 and 2012.  

Notable personalities who attended the event included the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa; the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare; the Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, and the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas.

Bedrock of progress

Dr Bawumia described peace as the bedrock of development and national progress, adding that as a shining example of democracy in the sub-region, there was a need for the country to continue to maintain its peace to sustain and enhance democracy.

He said despite the competitive nature of elections and major differences, the country had always stood tall, rising above the differences as a united entity.

“The stakes in every general election are always high but we have never turned our backs to democracy because that is the path we have chosen, which is the right way to go,” he said.

Vacuum

Former President Mahama, while endorsing peace and encouraging all to embrace peace, however, said peace could not be achieved in a vacuum or through mere talk but through a consistent effort to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability.

 Former President John Dramani Mahama (right) exchanging pleasantries with some flag bearers of political parties at the signing of the Peace Pact in Accra.

“It is all well and good for us to commit to peace and recite beautiful platitudes. All efforts at building peace before, during and after the 2024 elections will be undermined if there is mistrust and insincerity.

“There is reason to be concerned that the signing of this pact, though well-intentioned, will amount to nothing if it is not followed by concrete action by the stakeholders and government,” he said.

He said events such as the violence that characterised the Ayawaso Wuogon by-election in 2019 and the killing of some people during the 2020 elections left much to be desired when it came to peace.

“The refusal by the government to act on the Emile Short Committee’s Report does not inspire confidence that the government truly believed in peace,” he added.

Assurances 

The event was also used by critical stakeholders such as the EC, the judiciary and the police to assure the nation of their commitment to work towards promoting peace in the country.

The Chief Justice said the Judiciary was committed to the stability of the country and the protection of the democratic process.

“I wish to assure all political parties that to the best of the ability of the justice sector and within the requisite constitutional directions, substantive rules on electoral disputes, the rules of court and the laws of evidence, the Judiciary will administer all processes of dispute management with efficiency and effectiveness and discharge our constitutional obligations to the good people of Ghana,” Justice Torkornoo said.

With regard to the EC, the Chairperson, Mrs Jean Mensa, said the commission, in the processes leading up to the elections, had always employed the cardinal principles of transparency, responsiveness and inclusiveness.

The approach, she said, had gone a long way to reduce the tension in the country and build confidence in the electoral process.

“As a Commission, we will continue to apply the ingredients of transparency, responsiveness and inclusiveness in all our activities through to the election day and beyond,” she said.

For his part, the IGP said the Police Service had developed a blueprint for election security, which included comprehensive security arrangements during and after elections and beyond the inauguration of a new President. 

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh