Liberian envoy lauds Ghana’s democracy, urges peaceful polls

A former United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador and Ambassador of Peace for the Republic of Liberia, George Manneh Weah, has commended Ghanaians for patriotism and peaceful co-existence. He also urged peaceful polls in the country.

While expressing satisfaction with good governance in Ghana, Weah said: “The country’s democracy has withstood the test of time and has become a role model that other African nations strive to emulate.

“Since its inception some 59 years ago, the people and nation of Ghana have shown to other African countries the reward of exhibiting true patriotism by putting country first over personal interest.”

The ambassador, therefore, urged the people to vote en masse during the December 7, 2016 general elections to elect a president and members of parliament.

Senator Weah noted that Ghanaians have enjoyed lasting peace and maintained a stable democracy despite their domestic challenges.

“You have shown other African nations how to thrive in diversity and become champions when differences are set aside and work collectively to make the country a better place for all. Today, we are all witnesses of your great work and patriotism by seeing you rise from mediocrity to excellence. Because of your patriotism, you have become a shinning star in Africa and a role model for other African nations in the region,” he said.

Weah, while praising Ghanaians for being champions of peace and the country for being a role model to other African nations, said their resilience in defying all odds and resisting the temptation to embrace chaos was commendable.

“As you prepare to head to the polls to elect the president of your choice, I would like to admonish every Ghanaian to exhibit the same true patriotism that you all have exhibited for the last 59 years as a free nation by being a peaceful people. I’m calling on every Ghanaian to remain peaceful as you exercise your constitutional rights in choosing the leader of your choice. It is my prayer that you all will have safe and successful elections, and that you will resist every attempt to promote violence, chaos and unrest that could potentially destroy the progress and peace you all have enjoyed over the years,” he said.

Saying that true democracy can only be achieved when a nation and its people forgo their personal interests to put the country first, the senator added that Ghanaians had shown that they were masters.

He expressed the optimism that Africa is poised to witness, once again, another peaceful election from the people of Ghana.