Volta Chiefs call for mature electioneering campaigns

Kadjebi (V/R), Oct 30 GNA - A number of prominent Chiefs in the Volta Region have appealed to politicians to safeguard the country's fledgling democracy by conducting mature campaigns to set the tone for peaceful elections on December 7.

"Let us organise another peaceful and transparent elections in Ghana and demonstrate to the world again that we are mature people and an icon of democracy in the West Africa Sub-Region".

Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area, told Former President Jerry John Rawlings, when he paid a courtesy call on him at Hohoe, during his campaign tour of the 16 constituencies in Central and Northern Sectors of the Volta Region.

Togbega Gabusu, who is also President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs impressed on Former President Rawlings that as the country's only surviving Head of State his maturity would be very much tested and expressed the hope that he would prove equal to the challenge. Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, urged politicians to avoid inflammatory statements, which were capable of throwing out the little gains made in the democratisation process.

Other Paramount Chiefs including Togbega Dagadu VII of Akpini, Nene Nuer Keteku Konor of Agotime, Nana Mpra Besemuna, Krachiwura and Nana Finam Akompi, Paramount Chief of Kadjebi Traditional Area, said Chiefs could not afford to allow a few self-seekers to plunge the country into turmoil in pursuit of inordinate political ambitions.

They said the whole world once again expected to see Ghanaians demonstrate their political maturity as they went to the polls in December.

Former President Rawlings said "inasmuch as we would vouch for a peaceful election we would not be conventional to antagonism, electoral fraud and intimidation".

The Former President, who received spontaneous welcome from enthusiastic Party supporters, urged them to be vigilant at the polls and vote massively for the National Democratic Congress for a new Ghana.