Govt determined to ensure peace

Politics, September 27/2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine

THE government has assured the international community that it is constantly monitoring developments in the country in a run-up to the December polls to ensure that the peace the nation has enjoyed over the years is not compromised.
“The government has been able to maintain the peace and stability of the nation since it came to power and had supervised all the general elections under its watch without any rancour, a record we are as determined as ever to uphold again this time”, it said.
The Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama gave the assurance when the new United States of America (USA) Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Donald Gene Teitelbum, paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Castle, Osu, on Wednesday.
The assurance comes amidst growing concerns about some disturbances in some parts of the country which was sending negative signals and also questioning the readiness of the nation for the December polls.
Alhaji Mahama said the government had been noted for its love for the rule of law and the strengthening of democracy in the country, a feet the US and others in the international community also appreciated.
He said the country had played major roles to bring peace to some of its neighbours such as Cote d’ Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Liberia when they were in conflict.
“These demonstrates our love for peace and that is why we continue to assure the international community and the entire nation that the government was on top of the issues and will ensure that the peace is not compromised,” he added.
The Vice President mentioned the various achievements that the government had chalked over the past seven years saying “the economic stability and progress we brought about is unprecedented and we pride in that”.
He said it was out of these achievements and seriousness to tackle issues that the US recognised the nation and decided to foster an improved relationship between the two countries.
Alhaji Mahama expressed the gratitude of the government to the US government and President George Bush in particular for the recent release of $350 million to Ghana to augment the rural electrification programme.
During his recent state visit to the US, President Kufuor signed an agreement for the release of the money for the project.
“This assistance is laudable and refreshing and we will ensure that the rural poor for whom this assistance is to benefit, has access to electricity in due course”, he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the US government for the release of more than $530 million from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) to support rural agriculture.
Alhaji Mahama also paid tribute to Mrs Pamela Bridgewater, the immediate past US Ambassador to Ghana for her role in getting Ghana the goodies from her country.
He expressed the hope that Mr Teitelbum would do same to further deepen the relationship between the two countries which had reached an unprecedented height in recent times.
Mr Teitelbum said the American government did not set up the MCA for nothing saying; “It is not something we take for granted and those countries, such as Ghana, who are benefiting from it really deserve it because they have genuinely met the criteria”, he said.
He wished Ghana well in her endeavours particularly in the upcoming elections and added that “we are all in the same boat together because we are also going to the polls soon”.
Mr Teitelbum expressed the hope that Th. winners, both in the US and Ghana will celebrate with all while the losers take the defeat in their strides to ensure continuos peace in the two countries.