Don’t bully each other for power – Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has stated that elections were not won through bullying of political opponents, but by the use of ideas, issues and programmes to win the hearts of the electorate.

He, therefore, appealed to all presidential candidates and their supporters to use diplomacy and tact that were more honourable and attractive to the masses in the political arena.

Former President Kufuor stated this when he addressed the first ever political union dubbed: “Kumasi Declaration”, where various Presidential candidates were given the opportunity to express their wishes for the forthcoming elections next month.

The programme was organized by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene in collaboration with the National Peace Council and sponsored by the Institute of Democratic Governance, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation among a host of other sponsors.

Former President Kufuor, who was also there with former President Jerry John Rawlings, said power belonged to the people, since they had the power to vote to elect the leaders and there was therefore the need to collaborate effectively to avoid any violence that could undermine the needed peace and harmony before, during and after the elections.

He said: “The votes of the people may not reflect your expectations, but that should not encourage you to use bullying tactics to win power in the country,” he cautioned the candidates.

The former President regretted that the Electoral Commission, which he described as the “Referee of elections”, was not at the meeting, but expressed the confidence that they would play their role responsibly as they had always done to ensure another peaceful and successful election in the December polls.

“I want to also appeal to the supporters of various parties to avoid anything that could mar the orderly progress of Ghana’s democracy by remaining loyal and peaceful to their various traditions without bitterness“, President Kufuor concluded.

Source: GNA