The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has expressed reservations about the effectiveness of peace agreements signed ahead of Ghana’s 2024 general elections. He warned that mistrust and insincerity among key stakeholders could undermine the value of such commitments.

Speaking on Thursday, November 28, during the signing of a peace pact, Mr. Mahama stressed that declarations alone would not suffice to ensure lasting peace unless they are supported by tangible actions.

“There is reason to be concerned that the signing of this pact, though well-intentioned, could amount to nothing if not followed by concrete actions to guarantee the peace by the stakeholders and government,” he stated.

Concerns About Sincerity

Highlighting a gap between commitments and actual behavior, particularly among those in authority, Mr. Mahama warned that the persistence of mistrust and insincerity could jeopardize efforts to ensure peace during the elections.

“It is all well and good for us to commit to peace and recite beautiful platitudes. However, all efforts to build peace before, during, and after the 2024 elections would be futile if mistrust and insincerity persist. Mistrust arises when there is a disconnect between words and actions, compounded by gaslighting from those in authority,” he remarked.

Reflections on Past Incidents

The former president cited troubling incidents from the 2020 general elections and the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election as reasons for skepticism about the sincerity of commitments to peace.

“We all recall the appalling spectacle of masked men acting on the orders of operatives of the government, shooting indiscriminately at innocent Ghanaians going about their legitimate electoral activity during that by-election. Some of the victims of that shooting incident remain incapacitated till now,” he recounted.

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He further criticised the government for failing to implement the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission, stating that this inaction erodes public confidence in its commitment to peaceful elections.

“The inaction of the government in the face of the murder of the eight of our citizens during the last election casts a shadow of doubt on government commitment to maintain the peace. How are we to believe that such killings would not reoccur?” Mr. Mahama questioned.

Call to Action

Mr. Mahama urged all stakeholders, especially the government, to back their words with actions to guarantee a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process in 2024.

The peace pact signing serves as a significant platform for political leaders and stakeholders to reaffirm their dedication to maintaining peace, a cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic stability.