THE race for the political seat for the next four years ended on Sunday night when the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, declared National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, John Dramani Mahama, as the President-elect. H.E. John Dramani Mahama polled 50.70% to beat his close contender, Nana Akufo-Addo, of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other contenders for the presidency.
THE closeness of the result has once again brought into light the much discussed issue that the country is deeply polarised. And independent observer group, the Coalition of Domestic Observers (CODEO,) is not far from right in suggesting that serious measures must be taken to bridge the polarisation gap.
?The 2012 election campaign has underscored, once again, the extreme political polarisation in Ghana, especially between the NDC and the NPP. Now that the polls are over and even after the inauguration it is absolutely necessary that our political parties, their leaders and the entire political class take adequate measures to bridge this gap and reduce the tendency for winner takes all politics. We need this for the sake of peace, unity, good governance and sustained socio-economic development,? a report posted on their website concluded.
THIS polarisation is much evidenced in how the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is yet to concede defeat hours after the declaration of the result. It is hoped that the party after its emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting yesterday would come out with a proposal that would help bridge this gap other that widening it.
WE urge the NPP not to allow the youthful exuberance of certain members to consume the party. And to further state that if they have grievances they are appropriate quarters to seek redress.
WE also call on supporters of the ruling NDC to conduct themselves in a manner that would help reduce tension in the country. They should celebrate the party?s victory in a reconciliatory manner other than in a divisive manner.
LET all Ghanaians come out and celebrate the unity of the country for we can never move forward without that. We should never take for granted the concerns of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) that the country is polarised and work towards bridging the polarisation gab.
