Avoid acts likely to undermine the beauty of Ghana's democracy - Yar'Adua

Accra, Dec. 30, GNA - ECOWAS Chairman President Umaru Musah Yar'Adua has appealed to Ghanaians to avoid acts that could undermine the beauty of the country's democracy.

In every contest there should be a spirit of understanding and tolerance, he noted, in a message conveyed through his Security Advisor, General Abdallahi Muktar to President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Golden Jubilee House on Tuesday.

General Muktar said managing the post-election situation was going to be the actual test of how democracy had taken roots in the country.

He, therefore, counselled that whoever was declared winner should be humane, magnanimous and show leadership in victory. At the same time, there should be the patience of the loser to wait for the next election.

General Muktar was accompanied by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas and the Nigerian Foreign Minister.

President Kufuor welcomed the message from the Nigerian Leader as timely and said he expected that the nation would appreciate that it was in her own interest to play by the rules.

He said he was confident that Ghanaians would not do anything to soil the country's reputation as a "true evolving and strong democratic nation".

"The beauty of the system is that if you do not make it today, the next time could be your turn."

President Kufuor gave the assurance that once the poll results were declared by the Electoral Commission, the legally mandated body, the Government would be fair and even-handed in its implementation.

"Ghana would not disappoint ECOWAS and the neighbourhood," he said.