ECOWAS lauds Ghana’s political maturity

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lauded Ghanaians for showing political maturity in the just ended December 7 elections.

According to her, Ghanaians had shown to the world that they were first and foremost Ghanaians, before being politicians.

She said the conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections as well as the peaceful transfer of power from one government to the other.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Saturday, January 7 2017, Mrs Sirleaf Johnson said, "Today marks a historic day in the ECOWAS community and Africa as a whole as we witness another democratic transition in the Republic of Ghana. Today, we witness the completion of a democratic process of peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another."

"You Ghanaians made us proud. After hard fought campaigns, you have put differences aside and come together to celebrate this victory. We must remember that this event is the fruit of many years of hard labour. Democracy is the fruit of the sacrifice of many generations and must not be taken for granted.

"We thank you for the political maturity, sense of patriotism in reaching this far. We commend the professionalism, commitment of the independent Electoral Commission and all political parties for applying the needed restraints that paved the way for peaceful conduct of the elections.

"The peaceful transition of power, in accordance with the will of the people, is a sacrosanct pillar of democracy. Where the people are free to speak, free to move, and free to choose their destiny, there will always be peace. Where there is peace, every child gets the chance to grow to his or her potential in an environment of tranquillity."

"On behalf of ECOWAS heads of state and my own name, we extend our greatest salutation to his Excellency John Dramani Mahama for his leadership in organising a free, fair and transparent electoral process.

"Giving the people the freedom and space to choose their new faith is the greatest act of leadership, we are proud of Ghana. Ghana has been the bastion of democracy for many decades after years of turbulence," she added.