Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has called on President-elect John Dramani Mahama to take decisive action to prevent supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from disrupting electoral processes and gathering at collation centers with offensive weapons.
Dr. Bawumia’s appeal follows reports of NDC supporters allegedly massing at collation centers to challenge parliamentary results and protest delays in the declaration of some constituencies. In some cases, NDC members reportedly declared their parliamentary candidates winners without official confirmation, actions Dr. Bawumia condemned as undermining Ghana’s democratic values.
Call for Adherence to Lawful Processes
In a statement issued on December 9, 2024, Dr. Bawumia urged all parties to respect the country’s democratic institutions and follow legal procedures. He specifically called on the President-elect to demonstrate statesmanship by curbing these actions.
“I wish to call on the President-elect, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to exhibit statesmanship by reining in his supporters to preserve the peace and unity of the country. There have been many incidents of NDC members besieging collation centers with offensive weapons to forcibly declare NDC parliamentary candidates as winners of some parliamentary contests. We believe that this is not in keeping with the democratic culture we are all trying to nurture,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
Concerns Over State Assets and Security
Dr. Bawumia also expressed concerns about reports of damage to state institutions, looting of public offices, and theft of state assets. He emphasized the President-elect’s responsibility to protect life and property, stating:
“He has won an election; he has not staged a coup d’état. He has a responsibility to contribute to the protection of life and property.”
Call for Unity
The Vice President reiterated the need for collective adherence to democratic principles and respect for Ghana’s laws to maintain the nation’s peace and stability.
Dr. Bawumia’s statement underscores the importance of leadership and collaboration during the transition period to ensure Ghana’s democratic values remain intact.
