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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has issued a warning that without genuineness and confidence among stakeholders, promises of peace ahead of the 2024 elections run the risk of being nullified.
Mr. Mahama raised concerns on the real-world effects of signing peace agreements when discussing the significance of peace-building during the signing of the peace deal event.
He emphasised that without tangible steps to guarantee enduring peace, such agreements, despite their good intentions, could fall through.
He said on Thursday, November 28, “There is reason to be concerned that the signing of this pact, though well-intentioned, could amount to nothing if not followed by concrete actions to guarantee the peace with the government and stakeholders.”
Mr. Mahama emphasised the distinction between proclamations of peace and acts that contradict them, especially by individuals in positions of power. Reciting lovely clichés and making a commitment to peace are both perfectly acceptable.
However, if mistrust and insincerity continue, all efforts to promote peace before, during, and after the 2024 elections will be in vain.
When words and deeds don’t match, mistrust develops, which is made worse by people in positions of power gaslighting you,” he continued.
He claims that the circumstances of the most recent 2020 election and the by-election in Ayawaso West Wuogon raise serious questions regarding the sincerity of some of the promises that would be made.
“We all recall the appalling spectacle of masked men acting on the orders of operatives of the government, shooting indiscriminately at innocent Ghanaians going about their legitimate electoral activity during that by-election. Some of the victims of that shooting incident remain incapacitated till now.
He added that the refusal by the government to act on the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission does not inspire confidence in Ghanaians that the government truly believes in peace.
He went on to say that “the inaction of the government to in the face of the murder of the eight of our citizens during the last election cast a shadow of doubt on government commitment to maintain the peace. How are we to believe that such killings would not reoccur?” he asked.
