John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stressed the importance of concrete actions to support the commitments outlined in the Peace Pact for the 2024 general elections, warning that mere words are not enough.
Speaking at the Peace Pact signing ceremony in Accra on November 28, 2024, Mahama highlighted mistrust and insincerity among key stakeholders as significant obstacles to ensuring peaceful elections.
Reflecting on past electoral events, including the 2020 general elections and the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, Mahama expressed concerns over the authenticity of some peace commitments, noting that these incidents had eroded public confidence in Ghana’s electoral processes.
“It is commendable to pledge peace and recite beautiful platitudes,” Mahama remarked. “However, all efforts to build peace before, during, and after the 2024 elections will be futile if mistrust and insincerity persist. Mistrust is created when there is a mismatch between words and actions, particularly from those in authority.”
He urged all stakeholders, particularly the government, to align their actions with their pledges, emphasizing that genuine efforts are essential for preserving Ghana’s reputation as a beacon of peace in Africa.
Mahama also cautioned that without tangible measures to promote peace, the Peace Pact risks becoming a meaningless formality.
“The events of the last elections and the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election raise serious concerns about the genuineness of some commitments made today,” he added.
