Kufuor’s New Year Message

The Year 2009 has dawned on us and it is my greatest pleasure to wish the entire nation a very happy New Year. For many Ghanaians the joy of the New Year has been tampered to an extent by the intense anxiety and high tension arising out of the ongoing Presidential elections which is yet to throw up a clear winner, despite last week’s run-off.

The two contesting parties have raised pertinent concerns which are being addressed by the Independent Electoral Commission, among others. It is important however that we meet the Constitutional time table for handing over on the January 7th. I therefore urge all stakeholders to yield to the authority of the Electoral Commissioner when he declares the results. Any outstanding issues may be settled later by due process.

I should also appeal to the media also to exercise the greatest sense of responsibility and circumspection in discharging their functions. They must not inflame passions or incite people to undertake negative actions. Rather, their work should be guided by the public good at all times. On the part of the security forces, I know that the nation can count on them to remain neutral and to display the highest sense of professionalism in the conduct of their work at this very critical time in the country’s history.

Lastly, I entreat the general public to remain calm until the result of the election is declared by the Electoral Commission to facilitate the transfer of power from this government to the next on 7th January as mandated by the nation all Constitution. May God bless us all.

Signed: John Agyekum Kufuor
January 2, 2009