Diasporian News of Friday, 15 March 2013
Source: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/Citifmonline
Ghanaians demonstrate in USA over electoral dispute
In support of the election petition filed by Nana Akuffo Addo and the other two plaintiffs challenging the 2012 Presidential election, some Ghanaians in the United States of America on Friday hit the streets of Washington DC.
The protesters are of the view that the rising political tension related to the election petition could spark conflict in Ghana if not well managed.
Spokesperson for the group called the Concerned Ghanaians for Justice in the USA, Kwaku Opoku Okyere indicated, “We the Concerned Ghanaians for Justice (CGJ) residing in the United States of America are seeking a speedy resolution of the Supreme Court Case brought by the Opposition leader, his running mate and the Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to avert any potential conflict in the country.”
He added, “Most of us are hard working Ghanaians with a lot of investments back home where majority of our families and relatives live; signals we are picking indicate that there is mounting tension in the country due to the incessant delay in adjudicating the case.”
Kwaku Okyere raised the alarm that the stalemate has the potential to erode all the gains the country has made over the last two decades.
He asked President Mahama to support a speedy trial of the case to redeem what he described as his sinking image as President.
“Mr. President, any continuous delay of the case in court is not only causing tension but is gradually affecting if not eroding the legitimacy of your Presidency; we wish this case is decided quickly to allow you to rule in peace if it is determined you won the elections by merit. It will also allow the opposition leader take office on time to serve his mandate if he was to be determined as the winner, or in the third case scenario, the country can go back for a rerun in the event it is a deadlocked and if the court so determines.”
“The current situation our research has shown is affecting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ghana as confidence by investors is low due to fear of the unknown,” he implied.
He called for the international communities’ intervention saying, “In a global world of today, the international community and certainly the United States cannot stay on the fence and assume that Ghana’s security or insecurity has no global ramifications.
