Mahama lauds Pentecostal and Charismatic Council

Former President John Dramani Mahama has commended the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) for the recognition of protests as an instrument of democratic expression.

“Elections can be emotive and the Electoral Commission’s (EC) incompetent handling of the December 7 poll leaves a sour taste in the mouths of all patriotic citizens,” he said.

Mr Mahama said this in a Facebook post in response to a statement issued by the GPCC on December 14, 2020.

Context

In a statement issued by the GPCC on December 14, it stated that the right to “peaceful demonstrations by aggrieved parties to the electoral dispute must be upheld and protected by the security agencies, especially the Ghana Police Service without any hindrances.”

It also called on all aggrieved parties to be responsible in the exercise of their constitutional rights to demonstrate peacefully without disturbing the peace of the country.

The statement further appealed to the leadership of the losing parties to call on their supporters nationwide to be circumspect and responsible in the exercise of their rights to free expression and demonstration without the destruction of lives and properties.

The GPCC also encouraged “the losing parties to strongly consider the constitutional option of proceeding to the Supreme Court with all the evidence they have gathered to seek a review of the decision of the EC.”

EC

Mr Mahama said it was important to hold the EC accountable to ensure that it purified itself and rose again to be the leading electoral body in Africa.

“I still urge all who feel outraged by the EC's conduct to manifest their displeasure in a manner that is peaceful,” he stated.