President Akufo-Addo (right) with Lydia Seyram Alhassan
President Akufo-Addo, in a
congratulatory message to the MP-elect for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram
Alhassan, has reiterated his commitment to peace.
He indicated that the New
Patriotic Party (NPP) will not compete with the NDC or any political party for
violence.
“It is important also to state
that the New Patriotic Party, the party from which my government was born,
would never dream of competing with any other political party in unleashing
violence on the Ghanaian people,” the president said in the congratulatory
message sent to the NPP candidate in the by-election in apparent reference to
the NDC alleged withdrawal from the election over the violence that characterised
the polls.
“I congratulate Lydia Seyram
Alhassan on her emphatic victory in Thursday’s by-election in the Ayawaso West
Wuogon Constituency. The electorate in the constituency has made an excellent
choice, and I am confident she will serve their interests in parliament with distinction.
“The isolated incident of
violence, which occurred in the early stages of the election, was unfortunate
and regrettable, and I condemn it in no uncertain terms. A by-election should
be a peaceful and happy event, no matter how competitive. The police is
committed to conducting a rapid inquiry into the matter, and I expect all
persons who are found culpable, at the end of the process, to face the full
rigours of the law.
President Akufo-Addo added, “Our
policy, as espoused by the founding father of our political tradition, is to
liberate the energies of the people for the growth of a property-owning
democracy in this land, with right to life, freedom and justiceas the
principles to which the Government and laws of the land should be dedicated in
order specifically to enrich life, property and liberty of each and every
citizen, and that is what my government is doing.”
“I commend the Electoral Commission for the professionalism it displayed in conducting a free, fair, transparent and credible election, despite the isolated challenge it faced. The Ghanaian people have, again, demonstrated to the world their deep attachment to the principles of democratic accountability and the rule of law. Ghana’s democracy is robust, and will only grow from strength to strength,” he stated.
