Peter Mac Manu
1 December 2008
opinion
With just under a week to go for Election '08, Ghana's political leaders are finally coming to terms with the role they have to play in keeping the peace before, during and after the polls. The NDC and NPP are generally regarded as the gunpowder kegs in these elections hence the expectation for them to take the lead in peace and confidence building initiatives.
The two parties have clashed in a number of places in the Northern, Greater Accra and Brong Ahafo regions - not major incidents in themselves, but regarded as indicators of what could be, nationwide, if care is not taken to rein in overzealous party fanatics.
With civil society organizations and even the security agencies calling for peace, the NDC and NPP themselves have been engaged in accusations and counter accusations regarding which of them is more violent.
Many political pundits however think the genesis of the apprehension lies in the NDC leader Jerry Rawlings' call to resistance because of what he claimed is a rigging plan between the NPP and Electoral Commission to deny his party victory.
It is a mantra he has been reciting since the NPP retained power in Election '04 that the NDC did not lose those elections, but that they were rigged in favour of the NPP. It has become the official position of the NDC and the cause of much of the apprehension gripping the country.
However, in these last remaining days, the two parties have indicated their willingness to sit and talk. Last week Professor Mills responded to NPP chairman Mac Manu's invitation to peace talks and over the weekend, the NPP chairman released the following statement in reaction to the one issued by the NDC's Professor Mills:
"A few days ago, the NDC Presidential candidate, Prof. J.E. Atta Mills was reported to have accepted the written request to the NDC for our two parties to meet and develop an ACTION PLAN FOR PEACE that I made on the 3rd of October.
Prof. Mills' acceptance followed earlier rejections by other leaders of his party. However, we take Prof. Mills acceptance as the official position of the NDC.
In his acceptance statement, Prof. Mills asked that other parties be included. We agree to the inclusion of the other parties with representation in Parliament.
Since time is of essence, the NPP respectfully requests that the National Peace Council convene this meeting as soon as possible with the assistance of the IEA to build upon the pledges that the candidates made at the Tamale debate.
Furthermore, we urge the inclusion of the security forces tasked with the maintenance of law and order during the election as well as the Electoral Commission so that all issues that can impact our ability to organize a peaceful election are discussed.
Finally, the NPP is determined to do everything possible to ensure a peaceful election.
The recent outbreaks of violence, in Tamale, Gushiegu and Odododiodio and Sankore are disturbing signs.
We are concerned that when such incidents are not aggressively prevented, they embolden extremists on all sides who will convert these incidents into uncontrollable violence. While we continue to urge restraint amongst our supporters, we are concerned that they may reach a point where our message for peace will not be heeded.
As we have stated repeatedly, Ghana should not follow the examples of Kenya and Zimbabwe. We should be an example to them. The eyes of Africa and the world are upon us. Let us not fail. May God bless you. May God grant us peace before, during and after this election."
Peter Mac Manu is National Chairman, New Patriotic Party
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