COVID-19: Don’t panic, come out and vote, says Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has rallied Ghanaians to come out in their numbers and vote in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding measures have been put in place to protect every voter at the polling stations.

Speaking in a televised address to the nation on the eve of the 7 December general elections, President Akufo-Addo said: “In the wake of the pandemic, let us all adhere strictly to the COVID-19 protocols put in place at all the thirty-eighty thousand, six hundred and twenty-two (38,622) polling stations, so we can cast our ballots in safety. We should, therefore, not panic or be afraid.”

“Many countries around the world have conducted elections within this period, and I have no doubt that Ghana will join those nations in organizing a successful general election, even in the midst of the virus.”

President Akufo-Addo, who is eyeing a second term in office, urged Ghanaians to go about the exercise of their civic duties in peace.

According to him, “It is in our collective interest to help ensure that tomorrow passes off in an orderly, peaceful, and transparent manner.”

“I entreat all eligible voters to turn out in your numbers, cast your vote, and, thereby, exercise your sovereign right to the making of government in the country.

“The security services have assured me that they have made adequate preparations to protect the sanctity of the process. They have assured me of their determination to carry out their duties without fear or favour.

“Improper behaviour by any citizen, no matter their political colour, will not be tolerated, and I am encouraged by the assurance by the Inspector General of Police, as well as by the heads of the other security services, that they will be even-handed in their response to issues. That is the only way the rule of law can be upheld,” he said.

The world is watching

President Akufo-Addo entreated Ghanaians to conduct themselves well during the exercise as the eyes of the world are watching.

“In view of the happenings on the continent, and, indeed in West Africa, the entire world is looking up to us to maintain our status as a beacon of democracy, peace and stability.

“In this 4th Republic, we have had the longest, uninterrupted period of stable, constitutional governance in our history, banishing the spectre of instability that disfigured the early years of our nation’s existence, and the benefits are showing.

“Together, let us continue to lay the platform for the evolution of a new Ghanaian civilisation, which will give true meaning to the foundational values of freedom and justice on which our nation was conceived by its far-sighted, visionary founders.”

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