Let us resolve to make democracy work in Ghana - Kufuor

Accra, March 6, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Sunday asked Ghanaians to resolve to make democratic governance sustainable in Ghana. "The tides are in our favour. The whole world is on the side of democracy, having recognised it as the most effective way of assuring humanity of dignified participation in its own governance," he said. "Through sustained democracy, we can build a peaceful, prosperous and united country. We must succeed, for if we fail, the happy and prosperous future we are all searching for will continue to be a mirage," he said.

President Kufuor made the call when addressing the 48th Independence Anniversary Parade of Security Services and school children at the Independence Square in Accra.

The theme for the celebrations is: "Sustaining Democracy in Ghana: The Bedrock for Peace and National Unity."

President Kufuor, who took the salute, said the role of the youth in sustaining the country's democracy was to be disciplined and hardworking to take advantage of all the opportunities, which the State, their parents and guardians had placed at their disposal to prepare them to face the challenges of the future.

"I have no doubt that, if our youth accept this challenge, they will become productive and responsible citizens to whom the current generation of adults will pass the key to the sustenance of good governance and the democratic way of life that our nation has chosen."

President Kufuor said for democracy to thrive, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary must each recognise their constitutional limits and play their defined roles in consonance with the checks and balances inherent in democratic governance.

He said democracy could only be sustained to become the bedrock of peace and national unity when all the key stakeholders played their respective constitutional roles effectively and in harmony.

President Kufuor said the Executive set the tone for national life, provided the vision, political guidance and an atmosphere of security within the framework of law and order to the entire society.

The Legislature, he said, should serve to provide a training ground for national leadership, good governance, tolerance and national unity while strengthening the people's belief in the multi-party system as a mechanism for assessing and making alternative choices for the next government.

"I am convinced that as the nation matures in its appreciation of the work of Parliament, we would see less of the partisan posturing, which sometimes detracts from the noble objectives of the Legislative arm of Government."

President Kufuor said the Judiciary should be composed of well-respected men and women of high professional competence and with a deep sense of national integrity adding, "if confidence in the judicial system falters, the nation's democracy suffers".

He said the media was rendering the invaluable service of informing, educating and entertaining the society in a way to nurture the country's fledging democracy, "but sometimes in their pronouncements and deeds, they lapse into indiscretion and find themselves in violation of the rights of others and even the State".

The parade at the Independence Square in Accra formed by about 900 members of the security services and 500 school children was under the command of Colonel J.D. Prah.

Among those present were the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama; Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes; Chief Justice, Mr Justice George Kingsley Acquah; Ministers of State, Service Commanders, chiefs and the general public. 06 March 05