Political parties have been asked by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, to lessen their suspicion in the Electoral Commission and endeavor to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
He emphasized the need of rebuilding trust between the Electoral Commission and the running parties and candidates, even as he acknowledged the need for political parties to exercise increased caution.
During dinner with Ghana Bar Association members at the Manhyia Palace, which was conducted in conjunction with the Association’s Annual General Conference, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II delivered these statements.
The Asantehene emphasized the importance of defending Ghana’s democratic principles and exhorted all Ghanaians to put peace first and abstain from electoral violence.
“I remain pretty sanguine about the outcome for two main reasons. Ghanaians have arrived where we are, not by accident, but through the force of history. In our first quarter of a century of existence as an independent nation, we have tried almost every system of governance conceived by man.
“We have had a one-party state. We have had military rule of three different types and we have experienced democracy with the power of the people to choose their government through the ballot box.
“However discreditable one may think of the people, I can see no circumstances in which Ghanaians will sacrifice the freedom of today, the prospect of changing their government by power of their thumb, for any other alternative.”
“Secondly, however one may distract the individuals in charge of the electoral process at any given time, it has been demonstrated that changes will occur in spite of the individual operatives. The evidence of our history is that the system does produce the outcome that reflects the voice of the people and remain ready as always to play a part to protect the integrity of the process when the need arises.
“So here again, I will appeal for a lowering of mistrust. Heightened vigilance is of course necessary, but we need to restore confidence between contesting political parties and candidates in the Electoral Commission.”
