Justice is a sine-quo-non for peace and stabilty

PRESS RELEASE BY NANA ADDO FOR PRESIDENT (NAFOP) GREATER ACCRA

TOPIC: justice is a sine-quo-non for peace and stabilty in ghana’.

The case before the Supreme Court is a very critical one and is going mark a watershed in our political history as a democratic state. The cacophony of voices for the need of ‘Peace Education’ throughout the media networks across the country would be meaningless if justice does not prevail. There is no doubt that the ‘Peace Education’ exercise is intended to build peace. Peace is preached by religious leaders in the Churches, Mosques and so on, therefore as a moral duty, Ghanaians have lived in peace, despite our ethnic and religious differences. The fact still remains that there has not been any propensity of violence ever since the election petition was sent to the Supreme Court led by Nana Akufo Addo for justice to prevail in pursuant to the irregularities, violations, and malpractices that occurred during the 2012 elections. However, we are not oblivious of the fact that the relevance of peace education would help prevent culture of violence and aggression, but the word ‘PEACE’ has been over hyped as if Ghanaians are fighting. Meanwhile, justice has remained anonymous in the quest to promoting peace. Can we call it double standard and open hypocrisy? To buttress our point, a scientific scholar called Galtung, defined ‘‘Peace Building as the intention to create a structure of peace that is based on justice, equity and cooperation, thereby addressing the underlying causes of violent conflict so that they become less likely in the future’’

NANA ADDO’S COMMITMENT

The modus operandi of Nana Akufo Addo has been his respect for the rule of law and his understanding of democracy. He is an example to emulate in Africa and beyond. It will be recalled that on the 11th of December, 2012, at Obra Spot, Nana Addo told teeming supporters of the NPP to remain calm as leadership of the party take control of the issue on their behalf. He said the NPP is a party that believes in democracy and rule of law and appealed to supporters to avoid any activities that might cause trouble and disturb the peace of the country.

Again, on the 17th May, 2013, when the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II called on Nana Addo at his residence, he reiterated his commitment to maintain and support the peace prevailing in the country and also accept the outcome of the election petition before the Supreme Court. According to Nana Akufo Addo, NPP members and supporters will not indulge in any action that will destabilize the country. The good record of the NPP is there to show that we are a peace-loving party, and has always accepted the outcome of elections organized by the Electoral Commission. He said “We respect and believe in the Supreme Court, that is why we have petitioned them and we will accept any decision or verdict they make.’’ He also called on other parties involved in the case to also abide by the decision of the court. On several occasions, this has been the song of Nana Akufo Addo and this shows a mark of leadership.

PRESIDENT MAHAMA

On several occasions, President Mahama has made sarcastic statements on the petition before the Supreme Court. This does not indicate his readiness to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court. In fact, if there is a word more than contemptuous, then the President has a lot of questions to answer. President Mahama spoke on the election petition for the first time when he met the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs at the Flagstaff House. His posture, while saying he would accept the verdict of the Supreme Court indicated he was unprepared. As if he was being forced to say something.

Again, he made another contemptuous statement that the judgement by the Supreme Court in the ongoing presidential election petition will be in his favour. He said this when he visited the National Chief Iman, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharabutu, ahead of the celebration of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival to climax the 30 days of fasting in the month of Ramadan. This attitude shows that the President wants to direct the Supreme Court to do his bidding and this would definitely not bring peace. But we still trust that the Supreme Court would never be influenced by such statements.

OWULA MANGOTEY

We were flabbergasted when Owula Mangotey, an NDC social commentator made a terrible and an unfortunate statement on Radio Gold that, ‘’President Mahama must not accept the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict, otherwise he will see the reason why we ask for pepper when we buy Kenkey in Accra’’. We find this statement as obnoxious and irresponsible. Meanwhile the so-called peace preaches have not heard this. The man is walking on the streets of Accra freely because he is not NPP. This seditious comment and many other things he said would definitely not bring peace.

THE GHANA POLICE SERVICE

The duties of the Ghana Police Service as stipulated in our constitution are to maintain law and order. We urge them to play a neutral position when dealing with the political parties. They should avoid discrimination in the discharge of their duties. This will help maintain the peace we have enjoyed in the country.

CONCLUSION

If we want peace to prevail in this country then, we must speak the truth. Institutions like the Police Service must avoid being bias and treat each Ghanaian equally. The Peace Council must also be bold and not selective when dealing with political issues. We take this opportunity to conscientize our supporters to follow the footsteps of Nana Akufo Addo and accept the outcome of the Supreme Court. We would rather use our strength to build the party across the country rather than fighting. But we believe that the good Lord would fight for us in our quest to seek justice. The battle is still the Lord’s. Let’s all remember, ‘‘to deny a man justice in the presence of the Most High, to subvert a man in his lawsuit, the Lord does not approve’’. Lamentations Chapter 3, Vs. 35 and 36.

God Bless Ghana!

Thank you all for your attention.

Signed!

Joseph Otoo

(Secretary- Greater Accra)

(NAFOP)

0231197250