Attorney-General and Minister For Justice, Dr Benjamin Kumbuor

Dr Kunbuor said President Mills’ was committed to accountability, good governance and the rule of law and convinced that these principles guaranteed peace, stability, social cohesion and socio-economic development.

The Minister stated this at a reception to commemorate “Europe Day” in Accra on Wednesday. The occasion brought together Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, the Diplomatic Corps, Council of State and departmental heads among others.

Dr Kunbuor said Ghana’s active participation in peacekeeping operations around the world, particularly in Africa and the sub-region, was based on its belief that there could be no sustainable development without peace.

He said it was in the light of this that, President Mills continues to play active role in the peace processes in Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Sudan and Somalia, to pave the way for peace, stability and development in those countries.

Dr Kunbuor expressed the government’s gratitude to the EU for the tremendous support for Africa and Ghana in particular, in the areas of electoral processes and democratic development.

The Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU), Mr Claude Maerten, said the Arab Spring had shown that it was impossible any more to rule without the consent of the citizens, adding that “respecting democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, human dignity and the principles of equality and solidarity are paramount”.

Mr Maeten said these were the core European and Ghanaian values which constituted the bedrock of the Ghana-European Union Partnership. He said Ghana was a model country in sub-Saharan Africa in many aspects, with an established and vibrant democracy since 1992, noting that it had held five peaceful and transparent elections with two hand overs of power.

Mr Maerten said it was crucial in the history of Ghana that for the sixth time under the 1992 Constitution, Ghana was going to elect the President and parliamentarians in December.

“Ghana should not fail; Ghana cannot afford unrest before, during and after the elections. As proven during the last 20 years, once again, Ghana has to lead by example, “he said.

He called on all the political parties and their leaders, as well as Ghanaians, to show restraint and exercise their poor as voters in a peaceful, transparent and fair manner.

“We encourage all to refrain from the politics of insults, as this does not work towards peace. We call also on the media to be moderate and not propagate the politics of insult, “Maerten counseled.

Source: The Ghanaian Times

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