NDC UK/Ireland calls for vigilance

NDC UK/IRELAND YOUTH CALLS FOR VIGILANCE IN 2008 ELECTIONS.

All too soon, 2008 has come and as a tradition, all Ghanaians are looking forward to electing another President come December this year as the four-years-two terms of President, John Agyekum Kufuor will come to an end. Significantly, we, the NDC youth UK/Ireland branch wish to thank all Ghanaians for their tolerance and patience in the past seven years which has seen the current administration come this far in spite of the hardships under the NPP administration.

It is in this light that we consoled Kenyans who have lost over 300 souls in the struggle for justice in their recent election.

We condemn all forms of violence ensuing the just ended election and equally put the blame on the door steps of the President Moi Kibaki led government which presided over the elections. We call on the authorities in charge of the Kenyan election to investigate allegations of vote rigging in the elections which was declared for President Moi Kibaki the sitting president. And we encourage the opposition leadership in Kenya to utilise all democratic means to ensure that the election results represent the true votes cast. On this note, we are advising Ghanaians of all political divides to be vigilant and cautious of any conduct which might result in mistrust in the aftermath of elections (2008). We hope that the developments in Kenya will save as an eye opener not only to our own government, but the Electoral Commission as they prepare for the all crucial 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections.

We also wish to reiterate the need that the Electoral Commission is well resourced to discharge its duties in a free and fair manner to the admiration of all contesting parties in this year’s and all other general elections in the future.

We particularly warned the ruling party, NPP to refrain from any plan to go against the voices of the people should they be defeated in the elections. We urge the NPP to emulate the precedence of the NDC under whose regime the nation witnessed smooth transferred of power in 2000.

We say this as a result of eavesdrops from the NPP officialdom that the party will use any means illegal to sustain power in the up-coming presidential and parliamentary elections.

Our information has been substantiated by utterances of the 17 flag bearer aspirants in the events preceding their December 22nd congress. President John Agyekum Kufuor’s handling of the recent Kenya elections, the controversial Togo’s and Nigeria’s election and his refusal to honour the invitation to the inauguration of an opposition government in Sierra Leone has exposed our President’s attitude of endorsing illegitimacy in the continent. Indeed it came as no surprise to us that Mr. Kufuor’s attempt to mediate between the Kenyans was allegedly rejected by the parties in the Kenya conflict. It is unfortunate that the Kenyans do not trust the AU chairman, Mr. Kufuor but our President has himself to blame.

In view of the fact that the 2008 election is crucial to the political, economical and social direction of our country, it is our hope that the NPP will purge itself of any idea to influence the outcome of the elections illegitimately.

That Ghanaians are peace-loving is obvious but it is also clear that we have come far since the initiation of the fourth republic constitution in 1992. We urge all Ghanaians to be watchful of any attempt to rig the 2008 elections and not to wait till it turns bad after the elections as it might be too late. We wishes to advise the NPP that any attempt by the NPP government to instill itself in power would be resisted by the good people of Ghana. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

By NDC UK/Ireland Youth

Signed by Youth Organiser (Kwame Agbodza)