Kufuor pledges peaceful transition on January 7

Koforidua, Dec. 1, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has pledged to hand over peacefully to his successor on January 7, 2009. He said "Being an ardent believer in democracy; would not interfere with the work of the Electoral Commission. We should endeavour to ensure peaceful, free and fair Election 2008".

President Kufuor made the pledge in an address read on his behalf by Mr Kwadwo Affram-Asiedu, Eastern Regional Minster, at the 50th anniversary celebration of Pope John Senior High School and Junior Seminary at Koforidua at the week-end.

He noted that during his tenure of office, democracy had been deepened to the extent that law and order was evident against the culture of impunity and would not undermine the achievements because of Election 2008.

President Kufuor appealed to Ghanaians to exercise maximum restraint and maturity during and after December 7 and urged the winning party to celebrate in moderation and the losing parties to accept defeat in dignity.

He reminded the electorate that election was part of the democratic dispensation and therefore needed the support of all and sundry because it was the sovereign will of the people that would reign supreme.

President Kufuor acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the early Christian Missionaries and the sterling performance of the School that had produced a crop of professionals including highly respected priests for Ghana.

He advised the students to be mindful of their responsibility towards the school and nation and not allow themselves to be influenced to disturb the prevailing peace in the country during Election 2008. Brigadier-General J.B. Danquah, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Ghana Armed Forces expressed concern about the use of Pidgin English that was fast creeping into the education sector.

He said it was a source of concern to hear students pursuing academic laurels using Pidgin English when the standard of English Language was falling at all levels of education. Brigadier-General Danquah a former student of the school called on Ghana Education Service (GES) to see the use of Pidgin English as a challenge that needed to be tackled.

Mr Isaac Lawer Odenteh, Headmaster of the school, said it recorded 99.8 per cent in the 2008 WASSCE.

He said with the new educational reform, the school with its average intake of 500 students per academic year was expected to increase and appealed for assistance to improve its infrastructure. 01 Dec. 08