Religious heads and civil society groups call for restraint

Accra, Dec. 30, GNA - The coalition of civil society groups and some eminent religious leaders on Tuesday called on the leaders and supporters of National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) to remain calm and allow the Electoral Commission (EC) to do its work as it prepares to declare the results of the December 28 presidential election runoff. The group said it had been in touch with the Chief of Defence Staff, who had given them assurance of the neutrality of the military and their loyalty to protect the State.

Peter Cardinal Appiah Turkson speaking on behalf of the group at a press conference in Accra appealed to media houses to exercise circumspection in their reportage and to reflect on the implications of their work in "these rather sensitive moments." He said following reports of disagreement over results from some constituencies late last night at the EC Head Office, which turned into rumours, the country had been plunged into a State of anxiety.

Cardinal Turkson said in an effort to seek clarification and offer advice they met with Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, NDC Presidential Candidate and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP Presidential Candidate, and leaders of the two parties at separate meeting to resolve the crisis. He said the two Leaders also engaged the Chairman of the EC on the matter to discuss the way forward.

Cardinal Turkson said there was confirmation that both Presidential Candidates had affirmed the EC's mandate to finalize and release the result. Additionally, he said, the candidates agreed to ask their supporters to be calm and that they had recognized the need for dialogue at the highest level. The coalition is made up of the Christian Council; Catholic Bishops Conference; Civic Forum Initiative and other eminent persons such as Maulvi Wahab Adams, Head of the Ammadiyya Mission in Ghana.