Renowned Nigerian evangelist, Prophet T.B. Joshua, has commended the leader of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for exhibiting qualities of statesmanship by accepting the judgement of the Supreme Court of Ghana, which affirmed the sitting President, John Dramani Mahama, as validly elected president in the December 2012 Presidential election.
Nana Akufo-Addo and two other leading members of the NPP, his running mate, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey, chairman of the NPP, filed a petition at the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the election of President Mahama as the winner of the 2012 Presidential election as declared by the Electoral Commission.
After eight months of litigation in the Supreme Court, the court last Thursday affirmed President Mahama as the validly elected President of the Republic of Ghana.
After the declaration, the main contender for the presidency, Nana Akufo-Addo, conceded defeat, congratulated President Mahama and decided not to challenge the court’s decision.
Prophet T.B. Joshua, who was preaching during a live service broadcast on Emmanuel TV at the Synagogue Chuch of All Nations (SCOAN) yesterday said, ‘I salute Nana Akufo-Addo for his exemplary leadership and the display of the true qualities of the rule of law. In fact, he has done very well and if all African leaders would behave the way he did, the continent would be free and peaceful. I salute him.’
Prophet Joshua had earlier declared during last Sunday’s service at the SCOAN that Ghanaians respect the rule of law and that nothing would happen as being speculated.
He asked Ghanians to just go and sleep because ‘they will not fail. If the law says this, yes. If the law says that yes. It is a country where they respect their laws….That has been their hallmark’
According to Prophet T.B. Joshua, Ghana is an icon of Africa and would maintain its credentials on the continent.
In anticipation of the judgement, the security agencies feared a possible violent reaction by one of the losing parties, and therefore put in measures to contain any moves that could disturb the peace of the country.
Some individuals, religious organisations and civil society groups stepped up education on the need to maintain peace during and after the Supreme Court verdict.
By Vance Azu/Daily Graphic/Ghana