Democratic governance is means for ensuring development – IEA Fellow

Brigadier General Francis Agyemfra (rtd), Visiting Senior Fellow, Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on Thursday affirmed that consolidation of democratic governance is the most efficient means for ensuring peace, security and development.

He said although the tradition of acceding power democratically is increasingly taking roots, a matter of great concern in recent times is the extreme political polarization of the country.

Brig Gen Agyemfra made the remark at a roundtable discussion organized by the IEA in Accra on the theme: “Post-electoral disputes resolution: Fostering peace, national cohesion and reconciliation after the Supreme Court ruling”.

He said the presidential election petition has generated animosity and acrimony between the leaders and supporters of the two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party- the petitioners and the National Democratic Congress the respondent.

He said discussions on the issues had banner headlines, but fortunately, both parties had indicated their willingness to accept the ruling of the Supreme Court.

He said the IEA was of the view that timely discussion and action on this sensitive issue would go a long way to promote peace and national cohesion in the country.

Brig Gen Agyemfra said Ghana has so far demonstrated a high level of political maturity, as compared to other African countries, and has successfully passed the test of holding six elections that had been adjudged free, fair, credible and peaceful, but warned that these gains needed to guarded very careful.

The roundtable discussion was attended by leading political leaders, academia, journalists, legal practitioners, and a cross section of the public.

Source: GNA