Ghana shall pass this test with distinction - President Mahama addresses nation

Ghana

Ghana’s president and presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama has addressed the country on the eve of elections urging the electorates to go out and vote.

His national address broadcast on public radio, television and live on Facebook was delivered a few minutes after the electoral commission assured that it was fully prepared for the election process on December 7.

“Demonstrate to the world that Ghana ranks among the best in the world when it comes to democracy. Securing a peaceful election will rest heavily on how we conduct ourselves,” President Mahama advised.

He expressed belief in the electoral commission to carry out its task and called on Ghanaians to vote for whoever they want as part of their civic duty.

“Ghana shall pass the test with distinction. Ghana will continue to rise. Let us vote with peace and tranquility. I thank you. God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong,” he ended.

The chairperson of the electoral commission, Charlotte Osei, earlier announced that 64,000 security personnel have been stationed around the country to ensure a peaceful process.

She also stated that the police have issued a ban on the use of motorbikes from 1700 GMT on Wednesday to 0600 GMT on Thursday and promise to crack down on those who will attempt to interrupt the election process.

Over 400 foreign observers and over 12,000 local observers will actively monitor the election process.

15,712,499 registered voters are expected to vote for seven presidential candidates and 1,158 parliamentary candidates at 28,992 polling stations nationwide on Wednesday.

The presidential candidates are incumbent President John Mahama, three-time presidential candidate and lawyer Nana Akufo-Addo, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, former minister and businessman Papa Kwesi Nduom, medical doctor Dr Edward Mahama, politician and lawyer Ivor Greenstreet and independent candidate and businessman Jacob Osei Yeboah.