Accra, Ghana (PANA) - President Jerry Rawlings Monday called for caution and circumspection as the nation moves towards general elections in December to bring to an end his second and final term of office.
"While the government will continue to demonstrate tolerance and patience. I hope the opposition will take up their share of the responsibility to bring sanity to the electioneering campaign," he said.
The president was addressing a parade of school children and some volunteer organisations at the Independence Square to mark Ghana's 43rd anniversary of independence from Britain.
He appealed to the clergy, religious leaders, chiefs and other opinion leaders to bring their collective wisdom to bear on the few who are bent on dividing the people.
Rawlings said he was aware that among most Ghanaians there was a deep anxiety and concern over attempts by some elements to manipulate sections of the media to create a feeling of self-doubt and hatred among the people.
"They have virtually declared war on our national sense of purpose and unity as well as our sense of decency," he added.
He said the first casualty of the breakdown of peace and stability resulting from the irresponsible use of the media would be development.
"We need to learn lessons from other places, lessons that are vital for our common progress and development," he said
Journalists, especially from the private press, have persistently used unbecoming language on news items concerning Rawlings, his family and Vice President John Atta Mills.
Rawlings said after independence Ghanaians now need to free themselves from attitudes that are counter-productive and which prevent the nation from realising its full potential.
"We all have a responsibility to create an environment for socio-economic growth and to generate confidence and feeling of empowerment amongst the younger generation. May we all resolve to put Ghana first in all our endeavours," he stressed.
He said at the beginning of a new millennium, Africa stood on the threshold of a new age of renewal and hope. The continent was witnessing a major transition, hopefully to a period of peace, security, stability, democratic governance, economic reform and social justice.
