Ghanaians hail Nana-Rawlings peace effort

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Parent Category: Our Country

Category: Politics

Created on Tuesday, 16 October 2012 00:00

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Ghanaians hail Nana-Rawlings peace effort

While many well-meaning and peace-loving Ghanaians from all walks of life have hailed the effort by Nana Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, and former President Rawlings to reduce tension in the country in the run-up to the December polls, members of the NDC are unhappy and angry at the development.

Even though some religious and traditional leaders, as well as members of the Ghana Armed Forces, members of the Andani family in Dagbon and the floating voters are all happy about the move, NDC members like Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Afrifa Yamoah Ponko, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini and John Jinapor, Spokesperson of President Mahama, are up in arms against Mr Rawlings for meeting Nana Akufo-Addo.

Speaking on a number of radio stations after the historic visit, John Jinapor, the man who speaks the mind of President Mahama, could not understand why Mr Rawlings should open his doors to his one-time bitterest political rival.

Meanwhile, John Boadu, a deputy communications director of the NPP, yesterday expressed shock at the comments by John Jinapor, explaining that he had only succeeded in exposing the double standards and insincerity of the president he speaks for.

“What he has done is basically to expose his boss. It shows he is not sincere about his call for inter-party dialogue to promote peace and only sought to do PR gimmick when he said he would have regular dialogues with leaders of other parties. If the president was sincere about that assurance, I don’t think his spokesperson would hail the meeting Nana Addo had with the NDC founder,” Mr Boadu stated in an interview with the New Statesman.

Nana Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call of former President Rawlings at his Ridge residence last Thurday, where he gave the assurance that no Ghanaian would have anything to fear under his presidency, and that the safety of all would be secured irrespective of their backgrounds.

Information available to the New Statesman indicates that Nana Akufo-Addo’s assurance has been especially hailed by members of the Ghana Armed Forces, the disgruntled foot soldiers of the ruling NDC, members of the Andani family in Dagbon, as well as the floating voters.

Beyeman Busea Gyenantwi, paramount chief of the Drobo Traditional Area in the Brong-Ahafo Region, has described last Thursday’s meeting between Mr Rawlings and Nana Akufo-Addo as a sign of maturity on the part of the two leaders.

According to the chief, the meeting between the two political leaders will serve as a launch pad for politics of cooperation and respect for one another in the country.

“I have realised that our politics has matured. I congratulate Nana Addo for the meeting with Mr Rawlings, and I urge him to do same with all the other opponents, for we are all for peace,” said Nana Busea during a courtesy call on him by the NPP leader.

He explained he initially found it difficult believing that such a meeting took place. This, he said, should remind all Ghanaians that political opponents are not enemies.

Kwabena Amankwah

Source: thestatesmanonline.com