2020 Elections: Don’t be tempted to permit use of violence – Mahama tells Akufo-Addo

Former President John Dramani Mahama has admonished President Akufo-Addo to prioritise the safety and peace of Ghanaians, particularly electorates, before, during and after 2020 elections, ABC News can report.

John Mahama added that President Akufo-Addo should be minded not to allow a repeat of what happened at the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections or allow the use of violence to intimidate electorates.

In view of this, Mr. Mahama urged the president to take a cue from the violence that characterized the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019 and ensure that Ghanaians do not witness same during the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The former president made this assertion in his New Year message to Ghanaians released on Tuesday, January 6, 2020.

“As we go to the polls in 2020, President Akufo-Addo has a responsibility to secure the safety of all citizens and must resist the temptation to allow the use of violence to harm and intimidate innocent civilians as we observed last year during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election,” the presidential candidate for the opposition NDC admonished.

President AKufo-Addo set up a commission led by former CHRAJ boss, Emile Short to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence in Ayawaso. The move by the President was highly commended by various stakeholders as it was the first time such an initiative was taken by a President during whose tenure such incidents occur.

Former President Mahama submitted, the world has its eyes fixed on Ghana due to the December elections for which reason Ghanaians must work to prove to the whole world that Ghana is indeed a peaceful nation.

He, therefore, declared that he will continue to do his part and work for the peace and security of the country.

Watch the full video below:

Source: ABCNewsGh.com