Former President John Agyekum Kufour has urged political parties in Ghana’s upcoming December 7 elections to tailor their messages to reflect the hopes and needs of the citizens.
He said that it was the responsibility of the parties to clearly communicate their plans for the nation.
“Political campaigns form a critical component of democracy.
“The expectation, therefore, is that the parties tell the citizenry their development plans and programmes, justifying why they should be voted for,” the former President advised in a message to the nation.
Former President Kufour, a strong advocate for democratic governance and the rule of law, warned that Ghana’s international reputation was on the line, having successfully held eight elections under the Fourth Republican Constitution.
Reflecting on Ghana’s democratic progress, he said that political campaigns should focus on presenting the parties’ vision and ideologies.
The former President urged political parties to refrain from using rallies as platforms for violence, insults, and hate speech, stressing that any actions or statements that could incite tension must be avoided.
He also highlighted the significant strides the country had made in ensuring political stability over the past three decades under the Constitution.
“It is our collective responsibility to safeguard and protect the gains made since experience and the nation’s history have shown that democracy is the best form of governance.”
Former President Kufour, a founding member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) enumerated the critical role the party had played in advancing Ghana’s democratic dispensation and socio-economic growth over the years.
“For me, the NPP is the party to be entrusted with the destiny of the nation, because our social intervention and human-centred initiatives over the years have proved beneficial to the masses,” he said.
The former President cited the implementation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), Free Maternal Healthcare, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and Free Senior High School (SHS), amongst other infrastructural and socio-economic projects, to back his claim.
In his view, a vote for the NPP in the 2024 elections ought to be the priority of all Ghanaians.
“I think in Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the ruling NPP has a Presidential Candidate who understands the signs, dynamics and challenges of the time.
“Overtime, I have come to realise Ghana needs a leader like him to elevate the country to the next level,” he noted, adding that the flagbearer’s vision on digitilisation, private sector growth and human resource development, was appropriate.
The former president said the governing NPP’s manifesto on job creation, youth and women empowerment, education, good and participatory governance, as well as health, technological and infrastructural growth provided hope for the people.
GNA
