Choose wisely in 2016 elections – Kufuor to Ghanaians

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has asked Ghanaians to critically examine the track record of the people and political parties before voting them into office in the next year's general elections.

He said sustained transformation of society will not come through short-sighted and short-term inducements, hence the need for the people to choose people with track record of delivering to lead the country

"We must examine critically the track records and manifestoes of the contending parties before we make our choices in the election," he said in a New Year message to Ghanaians.

Mr Kufuor said it is important that Ghanaians show through their conduct and choices that they understand the uses of the vote, adding " the people must decide for good, efficient and accountable governance at all levels of government".

He said 2016 must be a year of decision for the nation to arrest the numerous dangerous slump of the society and economy, including scandals and perceived corruption in governance and society that rocked the nation this year.

"Scandals and perceived corruption in governance and the society generally, socio-economic hardships such as unstable currency, unstable power supplies - undermining both industrial and domestic ventures - executive bureaucratic delays in the public sector, especially at the ports, many industrial actions, protest demonstrations throughout the economy, sudden and high tariff increases for utilities, and ever-bloating national debt stock, have hall-marked the out-going year," he observed.

Fellow Ghanaians, It gives me great pleasure to greet you on this New Year’s eve.

My wish for our nation and all of us into the coming year, is a reprieve from the many and seemingly endless challenges that have beset us through the just ending year, 2015

"Civil Society Organizations, traditional leaders, religious groups must assume responsible guidance within their remits to ensure that the entire citizenry of the nation live up to the spirit and letter of the national constitution which enshrines inclusive democracy as the way of life for all of us," he added.

Mr kufuor also urged the Electoral Commission to be resolute in its independence and impartiality as enjoined by the national constitution, and asked the security agencies to uphold the integrity and security of the national constitution.

"We must all resolve to enter and live through this New Year with this determination so that the outcome of the Elections will ensure us with the government we can all accept and work with in good faith and in peace," he said

He concluded: "This is how to give our nation and its citizenry the sustained peace and direction to real development and dignity that we must have.