President John Mahama on Wednesday appealed to Ghanaians to avoid any pre-disposition in political party campaigns that could make Ghana an ungovernable country.
He also advised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters and sympathizers to adopt measures that would lead to the avoidance of violence and other negative disturbances.
President Mahama, who was addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of the Ashanti Region as part of a one day “Thank you tour” of the region, said it was unnecessary for Ghanaians to shed blood for the sake of political power.
The President who was accompanied by Mr. Joe Gidisu, Minister for Roads and Highways, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Minister of Finance, Mr Gbevlo Lartey, National Security Coordinator, Mr Alex Segbefia, Deputy Chief of staff, among others was in the region to thank the people for their contribution towards the final funeral rites of late President John Evans Atta Mills.
The President entourage arrived at the Kumasi Airport to a tumultuous reception by party executives and supporters amid drumming, dancing and singing after which the President was taken round the principal streets of the metropolis waving to a massive crowd that had gathered around the roads to catch a glimpse of him.
Apart from the “Thank you tour” of the region national delegates are also expected to endorse the President as the 2012 Presidential candidate of the NDC on Thursday.
President Mahama said political campaign is not about insults nor is it about “I must win by all means”; it is all about floating ideas and issues that would convince the electorate to vote for you.
He said his administration in collaboration with all the security networks in the country would do everything under their power to ensure a well organized general election in December and appealed to all stakeholders to play their roles responsibly to achieve that target, come December this year.
President Mahama appealed to chiefs throughout the country to use their positions to educate the youth against practices that could plunge the country into a state of insecurity.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu, Mamponghene, who represented Otumfuo Osei Tutu II called on government to put in place appropriate mechanisms that will ensure a peaceful election.
