NANA ADDO REAFFIRMS HIS COMMITMENT TO PEACE

Nana Addressing the Chiefs

The New Patriotic Party presidential candidate, Nana Akuffo-Addo has urged all Ghanaians to allow the rule of law to reign since it is the only sure way that peace and harmony will prevail ahead, during and after the 2012 elections.

He said it is the maintenance of the rule of law, which requires the enforcement of law and order without fear or favour that can guarantee peace, security and justice.

Nana Akufo-Addo who was addressing the second General Meeting of the Volta Region House of Chiefs with traditional Queens in attendance on Friday, reaffirmed his unequivocal commitment to peace in Ghana.

The meeting comes at a time when relationship between the NPP and residents of Volta Region have further been strained following the ethnocentric comments made by the NPP Member of Parliament for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong.

But according to him, Ghana’s success stories, especially since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, must not be compromised by “inflamed passions, tribally charged language and selective use of state power.”

“I do not have any ethnic agenda to promote, and I will not condone any such agenda”, he added.

 Nana Akuffo-Addo therefore urged Ghanaians to be proud and celebrate the country’s unique diverse culture and ethnicity and “share the occasional harmless joke about where we come from, but we should never allow the richness of our differences to become a currency of spite and hate.”

“Our prejudices hold us back like iron chains when they stop us from recognizing opportunity when we see it,” he added and prayed the indulgence of all to be united in the quest for development.

Nana Akuffo-Addo acknowledged the possibility of differences among Ghanaians and entreated all to put Ghana first before taking any action which is likely to jeopardize the peace and stability of the country.

“There are bound to be differences of opinions among us, but these differences of opinion should not shake our allegiance to Ghana. Ghana must be first and foremost in all our dealings and thinking. Our nation’s peace, stability, freedom and democracy are more important than anyone’s ambition, including my own,” he noted.

Nana Akuffo-Addo however, pledged his commitment to introduce free quality senior high school education, industrialise the country, including developing the resources in the Volta Region and improving the road infrastructure in the Volta Region if elected president.

Nana in a group photo with Chiefs

Meanwhile the Volta Region House of Chiefs has urged the people of the Volta region to remain calm and treat Mr Kennedy Agyapong’s “effusions” with contempt and as insignificant.

 In a Press statement, the chiefs appreciate the existing bonds of friendship between various Ewe and Ashanti chiefs and their traditional areas.

 The chiefs also expressed their belief in the ability of the security agencies to deal appropriately with individuals and groups who would want to disturb the peace that has become the distinguishing development of the entire nation.

“We therefore would like to call on all Ghanaians to receive with skepticism politics that play on the forces that divide us, that play on our sentiments, make us uncomfortable and instead begin to welcome endeavours that seek alliances within our nation”, the statement said.