Election will be free, fair - Akufo-Addo assures electorate

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given an assurance that this year's election will go down in history as one of the most free and fair in the country since independence.

"I came out from a peaceful election, and I will leave in a peaceful election," the President said.

President Akufo-Addo said the government would live by its obligation and duty to ensure that the impending elections were conducted in an atmosphere of peace and security, in full transparency and respect for the electoral laws of the country.

"As far as the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is concerned, a party born from the noble Dankwa, Dombo and Busia political tradition, which spearheaded the national resistance to authoritarian one-party rule in the country, rigging is not part of our DNA,” he added.

Addressing the 51st annual and 13th biennial conference of the Methodist Church Ghana, at the Wesley Cathedral at Adum in Kumasi yesterday, the President declared:

"We have been eternal democrats, we trust and accept freely, judgement of the people", he said, adding that "my response to the unfavourable verdicts of 2008 and 2012 is there for all to see".

He said the ingredient that would ensure the success of the party in the upcoming elections was its record in government in the last eight years, coupled with the vision for the nation's future as outlined by the Vice-President and flag bearer of the NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The conference was on the theme: "Discipleship: Growing into Christian maturity."

It serves as a platform for discussing the role of the Church in the country’s socio-political landscape, particularly in crucial election times.

Security

President Akufo-Addo also expressed confidence in the security agencies’ ability to be alive to their responsibility and ensure that the free will of the people and their choice of national leadership would be manifestly free of violence and intimidation.

Electorate 

"It is the free will of the Ghanaian people, not the will of any candidate or political party, no matter how desperate he or she is for power, will prevail on December 7, 2024," he added.

The President said the nation cherished its reputation as the beacon of democracy on the African continent, and that the conduct of the forthcoming elections would re-enforce that reputation.

"I am certain that the behaviour of the people, the government and public authorities will put to shame all the naysayers, all the Jeremiahs, including unfortunately some persons of the cloth who instead of preaching peace are bent on raising false alarm about election rigging and Kenyan-style bloodletting," he said, adding that "they would be disappointed.”

Commendation

President Akufo-Addo commended the Methodist Church of Ghana for its contribution to the development of the nation, particularly in education, health care and social welfare.

He highlighted the role of Christian discipleship in shaping a nation’s moral fabric.

Drawing from biblical teachings, he pointed out that discipleship was not merely an individual pursuit, but a communal one, where believers are called to support and encourage one another in their faith journey.

The President also stressed the importance of the prophetic voice of the Church in society, and called on all to speak out against injustice, corruption and moral decay.

“Our advocacy should be rooted in biblical principles, aimed at promoting the common good,” he said, adding that the Church must support policies and initiatives that aligned with God's will for justice and peace. 

Appreciation

The Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Dr Paul K. Boafo, extended the church's appreciation to the President for the creation of six additional regions, which he said had helped increase the presence of the church in the country.

He said through the administrative vehicles established in the regions, the church was taking advantage and extending its tentacles beyond their earlier mileage in those areas, describing the initiative as laudable.

The outgoing bishop further thanked the President for giving the Methodist University College a charter to operate. Some ministers of the church who had served and distinguished themselves in service and dignity were honoured at the event.