US commends Ghanaians on presidential election run off
Gilbert Boyefio
28/12/08
Jendayi Elizabeth Frazer, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Sunday evening described the just ended presidential election run off in Ghana as very impressive.
She said the election was generally held in an orderly, smooth and professional manner. Dr Frazer who arrived in the country on December 26 observed the election in some Constituencies in and around the nation’s capital. She was full of praise for the Electoral Commission and the security agencies, especially the Ghana Police Service for the proficient manner they handled the run off, pointing out that the Electoral Officers and the security agencies did not interfere with the voting.
Addressing journalists at the Accra International Press Centre, after her observation of the polls, Dr Frazer appealed to the media to stop spreading unsubstantiated rumours which has the tendency to ruin the election. She stressed that the success of Ghana’s election will be a test of Africa’s democracy. Dr Frazer indicated that before the elections she held discussions with former President Jerry John Rawlings, President Kufuor, and the two presidential candidates Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of the New Patriotic Party and Prof John Evans Atta Mills, of the National Democratic Congress, on encouraging their supporters to have peaceful election.
She said the two presidential candidates must act maturely and also respect the tenet of democracy. She noted that it is imperative for the candidates and party officials not to incite their supporters to violence. The U.S calls on candidates, leadership and party officials and supporters of the NPP and the NDC to respect the citizens of Ghana by abiding by their votes that would be announced by the Electoral Commission results and refrain from provocation and incitement.
According to her, a successful, free and fair election in Ghana will strengthen the good relationship between the US and the country. She indicated that whoever wins the presidential election run off will have the support of the US. She however pointed out that if the election goes bad; Ghana stands to lose the Millennium Challenge Account funds because it against the principles of the agreement.
The Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs believes that the accusations and counter accusations being spread around by the two political parties form the bases for either party to reject the national result if it does not go their way. However, she admitted that some of the allegations might be true.
Touching on events on the African continent, Dr Frazer moaned that most of the ills of the continent are conflicts. She noted that the way President Mugabe is cringing to power in Zimbabwe can result into unrest in case of his demise as is being witnessed in Guinea.
She stressed that the situation in Guinea should serve as a red warning to the Southern Africa Development Community.
Dr Frazer reminded politicians that party officials that incited their supporters to violent in Kenya are currently being held before an International Tribunal Court.
28/12/08
Jendayi Elizabeth Frazer, the United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Sunday evening described the just ended presidential election run off in Ghana as very impressive.
She said the election was generally held in an orderly, smooth and professional manner. Dr Frazer who arrived in the country on December 26 observed the election in some Constituencies in and around the nation’s capital. She was full of praise for the Electoral Commission and the security agencies, especially the Ghana Police Service for the proficient manner they handled the run off, pointing out that the Electoral Officers and the security agencies did not interfere with the voting.
Addressing journalists at the Accra International Press Centre, after her observation of the polls, Dr Frazer appealed to the media to stop spreading unsubstantiated rumours which has the tendency to ruin the election. She stressed that the success of Ghana’s election will be a test of Africa’s democracy. Dr Frazer indicated that before the elections she held discussions with former President Jerry John Rawlings, President Kufuor, and the two presidential candidates Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of the New Patriotic Party and Prof John Evans Atta Mills, of the National Democratic Congress, on encouraging their supporters to have peaceful election.
She said the two presidential candidates must act maturely and also respect the tenet of democracy. She noted that it is imperative for the candidates and party officials not to incite their supporters to violence. The U.S calls on candidates, leadership and party officials and supporters of the NPP and the NDC to respect the citizens of Ghana by abiding by their votes that would be announced by the Electoral Commission results and refrain from provocation and incitement.
According to her, a successful, free and fair election in Ghana will strengthen the good relationship between the US and the country. She indicated that whoever wins the presidential election run off will have the support of the US. She however pointed out that if the election goes bad; Ghana stands to lose the Millennium Challenge Account funds because it against the principles of the agreement.
The Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs believes that the accusations and counter accusations being spread around by the two political parties form the bases for either party to reject the national result if it does not go their way. However, she admitted that some of the allegations might be true.
Touching on events on the African continent, Dr Frazer moaned that most of the ills of the continent are conflicts. She noted that the way President Mugabe is cringing to power in Zimbabwe can result into unrest in case of his demise as is being witnessed in Guinea.
She stressed that the situation in Guinea should serve as a red warning to the Southern Africa Development Community.
Dr Frazer reminded politicians that party officials that incited their supporters to violent in Kenya are currently being held before an International Tribunal Court.
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