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I called President John Dramani Mahama and now congratulated him on being elected the fourth president of the Fourth Republic of our country. Our Nation’s Supreme Court has ruled and the result of the December 2012 presidential election has been confirmed as having been won by the NDC candidate, President Mahama.
As I said earlier, while I disagree with the court’s decision, I accept it. I accept that what the Court says puts an end to the electoral dispute. We will not ask for a review of the verdict so that we can all move forward in the interest of our nation. Everything in my bones, in my education and in what I have done with my life so far, it is imperative that I accept a decision made by the highest court in the land, even if I do not like or don’t agree with her.
I am saddened by the verdict and know that many of our supporters are saddened as well. However, for the sake and love of our country, we must embark on a path that builds, rather than destroys, to face our disappointment.
I call on all members and supporters of our party, the NPP in particular, to accept the court’s verdict. Even in our disappointment, we can be proud of the way we have behaved. Even in our disappointment, we can be proud that the nuclear power plant has once again paved the way for deepening democracy in Ghana. To quote one of the Supreme Court justices: “After this case, the elections in Ghana will not be the same.”
In other words, we might not have received the ruling we were looking for, but through our efforts we can hope for an improvement in the electoral process in our country. I am grateful to my co-petitioners, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for their hard work, dedication and commitment to researching the legal options available to us.
My gratitude also goes to the lawyers and the technical team for their hard work and incredible sacrifices. I am grateful to all the volunteers who spent days and nights working on pink sheets, entering data, photocopying documents and labeling rooms for the petition. I am grateful to all supporters for their prayers.
I must also thank my party, the NPP, officials, infantry and supporters for their unwavering support and confidence in me. The National Council of the party, having taken the decision to take legal action, was unwavering in its support.
I also want to thank my daughters and my wife, Rebecca, for their love and amazing support. There have been friends who have made incredible sacrifices of time, energy, ideas, money and a listening ear. I am grateful to them all.
I’m sure many people are wondering what I envision for my political future. I intend to take some time in the turmoil of politics, rest, reflect, and then announce the decision I will make in the not too distant future.
In Ghana’s 56-year history, this is the first time that such a presidential petition has been filed and pursued in court. The whole world looked at us with wonder and awe. Our reaction to this judgment will be closely watched in Africa and beyond and will set a precedent for generations to come.
It is now up to all of us Ghanaians to put the dispute behind us and come together to iron out our differences, ease the tensions between us and come together to build our country.
There are myriads of issues that we face as a people. Now is the time for all of us to come together and work to find solutions to the challenges facing our people.
To my party, the NPP, I say we have much to be proud of; there are over three years left in this political cycle to be a worthy opposition, and also to position itself for the battle of 2016.
Today, let us wish our President good luck and thank the Almighty for his mercy towards our nation. The battle continues to be that of the Lord.
May God bless Ghana. “
[Speech delivered by Nana AKufo-Addo on 29 August 2014 after the Presidential Election Petition judgment was delivered.]
Akufo-Addo’s magnanimous statement that day was very well received by all Ghanaians and the international community. To accept such a decision under these circumstances was most admirable. The truth is, he had no choice but to accept the decision as it was. Any other option would have thrown his lifelong struggle for democracy and the rule of law into the mud. Throughout his life and professional career he has advocated for stronger institutions and for the rule of law to be the guiding principle of democracy in Ghana. His name in this regard is firmly engraved in the legal reports of Ghanaian courts.
It is therefore no surprise that he was nominated as a candidate for the prestigious “Ghana’s Most Influential Person for 2013” award and subsequently received this award. At the ceremony in which he received the award, Akufo-Addo told the audience at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel the factors that led him to accept the election petition judgment even though he was not d ‘agree with him.
He said: “I thank etv-Ghana for this initiative and I thank the public for the great honor given to me in voting me as Ghana’s most influential person for the year 2013. I congratulate my fellow award winners for their service to our nation. I am deeply touched by the award and accept the challenge it poses in what the public expects from the leaders of our nation.
I understand that what won me this award was the now famous election petition and my reaction to the majority verdict of the Supreme Court, a reaction that has helped to strengthen peace and stability in Ghana.
Obviously, I would have preferred to get such a prestigious award under happier circumstances, but to quote Shakespeare in “As You Like It”:
“Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Who, like the toad, ugly and poisonous,
Still carries a precious jewel in his head;
And this is our life, free from public dread,
Find tongues in trees, books in flowing streams, sermons in stones, and good at everything.
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