The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has stressed the need for concrete actions to support the commitments made in the Peace Pact for the 2024 general elections.
Speaking at the signing of a peace pact in Accra on Thursday, November 28, Mr. Mahama emphasised that such agreements risk becoming ineffective without sincerity and trust among stakeholders.
Reflecting on past events such as the 2020 general elections and the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, he expressed doubts about the sincerity of some peace commitments, noting that these incidents had shaken public confidence in electoral processes.
“It is all well and good for us to commit to peace and recite beautiful platitudes. All the efforts at building peace before, during, and after the 2024 elections would come to nought if undermined and if there is mistrust and insincerity. Mistrust is built through a mismatch between words and gaslighting on the path of those in authority.
“There is reason to be concerned that the signing of this pact, though well-intentioned, could amount to nothing if it is not followed by concrete actions to guarantee peace by the stakeholders and government.
“Events and happenings in the last election and during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election create considerable doubts about the genuineness of some of the commitments we might make today,” he stated.
According to Mr Mahama, the refusal by the government to act on the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission does not inspire confidence in Ghanaians that the government truly believes in peace.
He said, “The inaction of the government in the face of the murder of eight of our citizens during the last election cast a shadow of doubt on government commitment to maintain the peace. How are we to believe that such killings would not reoccur?”