Gov't assures of peaceful transition

Spread (lead) April 21, 2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine, Pomadze.

THE Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has restated the government’s commitment to ensure a peaceful transition from this administration to the winner of this year’s general election.
The move, he said, was to ensure that the general stability, peace and progress of the nation was not compromised.
The Vice-President gave the assurance when he closed the Khilafat Ahmadiyya Centenary Jalsa (Convention) at Pomadze in the Central Region at the weekend.
Alhaji Mahama called on all religious bodies in Ghana to continue with their prayers for the nation to make that transition peaceful.
The convention, which began last Thursday and attended by thousands of Ahmaddis from many African countries, as well as parts of Asia and Europe, was on the theme: “Love for all, hatred for none”.
The Vice-President observed that in other countries, elections had been the defining moments that set the people on a slippery road to violence, death and even civil war, pointing out that although Ghana had been spared this scourge, the people must not be complacent.
Alhaji Mahama said the government had been and continued to be committed to the pursuit of pragmatic programmes in furtherance of the realisation of the principles of good governance, which included respects of human rights, political pluralism, equity, access to knowledge, information, education and health, as well as attitudes and values that foster responsibility, solidarity and tolerance.
The Vice-President made reference to the significance of the theme for the centenary celebrations, which, he said, was appropriate for the upcoming elections in the country.
“For me the theme envisages an environment devoid of exploitation and discrimination that creates imbalances in interpersonal, inter-communal and international relations,” he said.
Alhaji Mahama said the theme, therefore, imposed on all as a nation, the commitment to love and serve mankind irrespective of religion, ethnic and political affiliation.
He said of all the noble values of the Ahmadiyya Mission, the issue of tolerance was the keyword he most cherished.
The Vice-President said: “Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission as a religious organisation has practically demonstrated its preparedness to co-operate with all other religious bodies, Muslims and Christians alike, to achieve unity, harmony and peace for our country.”
In his remarks, the Supreme Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, asked members of the mission to always have a forgiving heart.
He also asked them to repent of their sins and lead lives worthy of emulation at all times, since that was what God wanted from His children.