Sep 14, 2012 at 11:15am

President John Dramani Mahama has advised the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to avoid political partisanship in the discharge of their duties during the December general elections.

He said Ghana has established itself as a beacon of democracy in Africa hence the world will be watching once again to be sure if the country could sail through another successful election.

Speaking at the Ghana Military Academy 2012 Graduation Parade, where 108 cadets passed out on Friday, President Mahama said: “It is therefore incumbent on us to prove that we are committed to deepening the credentials.”

He said Ghana can only stand the test of time if the GAF and all the other security agencies exhibit high level of professionalism on December 7.

President Mahama stated: “The Ghana Armed Forces will be expected to assist in the conduct of peaceful and violent-free elections. Let me remind everybody here that the colours of the Armed Forces are the national colours and not the colours of any political party.

“You are expected to uphold your professionalism and display neutrality by avoiding political partisanship in the discharge of your duties… The ability of all our security agencies to collaborate effectively before, during and after the elections will go a long way to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in this country.”

President Mahama reiterated his commitment “to ensure a violent-free election in this country” to guarantee Ghana’s stability as well as establish a positive credential on the continent.

“Ghana has established herself in the past two decades as a beacon of democracy in Africa and as we prepare for this year’s polls, the searchlight of the international community is going to once again be upon us. It is therefore incumbent on us to prove that we are committed to deepen our democratic credentials in Ghana,” he pointed out.

“The excellent manner in which the Ghana Armed Forces carried out its duties and responsibilities in support of the recent smooth transition of government and interment of our former President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, attest to your display of professionalism, loyalty and dedication to duty. You made Ghana proud on this occasion,” President Mahama said.

He promised government’s readiness to assist the GAF with the needed resources to enable “the military continue with the good work” that it is doing.




By Citifmonline.com/Ghana