Presidential candidates to sign Peace Pact Thursday

Presidential candidates in the December 7 elections will commit to a peaceful process when they meet in Accra tomorrow to sign the customary peace pact.

To be held under the auspices of the National Peace Council, the exercise is aimed at promoting the peaceful conduct of political parties in the December 7 polls.

The Presidential Peace Pact, the fourth to be signed since the 2012 general election, seeks political parties and their leaderships to commit to peaceful conduct before, during and after the elections.

The public commitment is intended to provide a positive signal to the support bases of the parties and candidates to prevent violence and promote national cohesion.

By signing the pact, political parties and their leaders pledge to respect the electoral process, accept the outcome of the elections, and resolve any disputes that may arise through peaceful means.

This helps to reduce tensions, build trust, and promote a sense of responsibility among political actors.

The pact has become a significant part of the country's electoral process, forming a ritual to promote peace and stability during general election.

Peace Council

The Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, George Amoh, at a meeting with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Resident Representative in Ghana, Mohammed Lawan Gana, and the advanced team of the ECOWAS Observer Mission in Accra last Thursday, said the Peace Council had been working tirelessly to ensure that all stakeholders committed to peaceful elections.

He noted that the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was the presidential candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), had already indicated his willingness to sign the pact.

The Executive Secretary of the NPC further said the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, had also expressed readiness to sign the peace pact.

Mr Amoh stated that the NDC's letter to the Peace Council also included some suggestions to make the pact more effective and responsive.

He said the Peace Council was currently working towards achieving the request made by the NDC.

Mr Amoh added that the NPC was working to bring President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the guest of honour to sign the Peace Pact.

NDC

The NDC had outlined six conditions that must be addressed by the Peace Council before the party would agree to sign the 2024 Peace Pact.

It include the full implementation of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Commission’s recommendations to address past electoral violence and ensure justice, the prosecution of individuals who were involved in the violent incidents and killings that occurred during the 2020 elections and calls for legal action against those implicated in the illegal printing of ballot papers, which in a way undermines the electoral process.

The others are the transparent and public resolution of missing biometric devices at the Electoral Commission’s office, public declaration by the President to accept the will of the people in the 2024 general election and getting the President, Chief Justice, Attorney General, and Inspector General of Police (IGP) sign the Peace Pact.

Theme

The Executive Secretary of the NPC who shared some details with the Daily Graphic said the event, themed “Pursuing Peaceful Elections, Non-Violence and Justice," will be broadcast live on radio and television across the nation.

He said the NPC and the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEA) had partnered with various international organisations, including the European Union, the Norwegian Embassy, the Netherlands Embassy, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the United States Agency for International Development and the United Nations, to support this initiative.

Mr Amoh emphasised that the NPC was committed to consolidating sustainable peace, stability and national cohesion, while IDEA aimed to promote democracy and good governance in Ghana and Africa.

Meeting

The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Ghana, Mr Gana, appealed to Ghanaians to ensure that the December 7 general election was peaceful, free, fair and credible.