by George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA
Accra, Dec. 1, GNA - All the seven presidential candidates for the 2016 General Election on Thursday pledged their commitment to ensure free and fair polls before, during and after the exercise.
They have also promised to respect the political ethics by conducting peaceful campaigns and advising their supporters to stay away from any form of violence.
The candidates pledged their commitment during a Public Re-affirmation of Declaration against Electoral Violence, Impunity and Justice Forum organised by the National Peace Council, National House of Chiefs and the United Nations.
They signed a declaration to accept the outcome of the December 7 polls, advise their supporters against the use of violence and to conduct their campaigns peacefully.
Apart from Bridget Dzogbenuku, the running mate of the Progressive People's Party, who represented the flagbearer, Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, all the others including; President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, candidate for the Convention People's Party(CPP), and Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, for National Democratic Party (NDP), were all present.
The rest are Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, Candidate for the People's National Convention (PNC) and Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah, an Independent Candidate.
President John Dramani Mahama said he had always believed in peace and would continue to put in measures that would make the country an oasis peace and development.
He eulogized former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and late President John Evans Atta Mills for their efforts at maintaining peace and unity since 1992 and pledged to continue activities that would promote it in the coming years.
He said: "Democracy is too precious to be swept away because of the quest for power, and I will, in my capacity as the President of this country, do everything possible to maintain peace and unity."
Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo said he would want to be President of a united Ghana and would, therefore, not condone any act that could undermine the peace and unity of the country.
He said as a presidential candidate, he would play his role meaningfully and urged other stakeholders to play their roles well to ensure an incident-free December polls.
Dr Edward Mahama gave the assurance that he would stand by the declaration he had signed on behalf of his party to deliver peaceful campaign messages.
Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet said there was no need to sacrifice the peace and unity the country was enjoying on the platform of politics and rather called all stakeholders to play their roles professionally to avoid nasty scenes.
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, who lost her voice in the middle of her remarks, gave the assurance that her party would adhere to all the requirements of peace and unity until the final declaration of the results.
Mr Jacob Osei Yeboah was optimistic that nothing untoward would happen in so far as his quest for presidency was concerned and attributed the violence to affiliations to political parties.
Madam Bridgit Dzogbenuku said her party stood for peace and progress and would use that as a springboard to ensure violent-free elections next week.
To read the full piece from Ghana News Agency, click here.