“Preserving peace is crucial at every stage of the electoral process, from voting to results declaration.”
On Saturday, December 7, 2024, Ghana will hold its ninth election in the Fourth Republic, featuring twelve presidential hopefuls and 801 parliamentary candidates.
According to the Frimpong-Manso Institute (FMI) unlike previous elections, the lead-up to this election has been largely peaceful, fair, and transparent, avoiding the inflammatory rhetoric and tensions often associated with such periods.
In a statement issued on December 5, 2024, the FMI commended the Electoral Commission for its swift actions in resolving challenging situations, with the active collaboration of political parties and other key stakeholders.
The FMI emphasized that democratic progress relies on the intentional and patriotic efforts of all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, voters, and civil society. In a diverse nation, elections should not divide us but strengthen our commitment to tolerance and peace.
“Preserving peace is crucial at every stage of the electoral process, from voting to results declaration. With history, the world, and God observing, the nation must rise to this critical electoral challenge without failure,” the Institute said.
Below is the Press Release From the Frimpong-Manso Institute
5th December, 2024
The News Editor,
PRESS RELEASE: LET PEACE PREVAIL AT 2024 POLLS – FRIMPONG-MANSO INSTITUTE
Twelve presidential hopefuls and 801 parliamentary candidates will have a date with destiny on Saturday when Ghana go to the polls for the ninth time in the 4th Republic.
The Frimpong Manso Institute (FMI) observes that the processes leading to the election have generally been peaceful, fair and transparent. Campaigning has largely been decent, not characterized by incendiary rhetoric and its attendant tensions as witnessed in previous elections.
Even in sticky situations, the Electoral Commission has moved with despatch to address them, with the active involvement of the political parties and other key stakeholders.
The National Election Security Task Force, led by the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare also assures the nation of a conducive voting climate as well swift and strong action against any agent of violence, and enemy of democracy.
The Frimpong Manso Institute is therefore hopeful that the stage is set for peaceful, free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
All these democratic ingredients are not the products of happenstance but the fruits of patriotic, conscious, deliberate, honest and active contributions of all the political parties, candidates, supporters, voters, civil society, observers, security officers, and the general public.
As a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious nation, elections and their outcomes should have prospects to divide us. Our commitment to tolerance and addiction to peace must continually hold us together, regardless of who wins the elections.
The preservation of peace, in particular, is an imperative necessity as we head to the polls. And our commitment to peace must be preeminent in all the processes of voting, counting of ballots, declaration of results and its aftermath.
History is watching, the world is watching. And God is watching. We must not, we cannot, and we dare not fail this critical electoral test.
ISSUED BY FRIMPONG-MANSO INSTITUTE
Rev. Prof. Paul Frimpong-Manso (President)
For comments and queries contact Frimpong-Manso Institute Secretariat on 0551 626 264
Thank you.
Story: Janet Ayethe
