The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has congratulated Nana Akufo-Addo for emerging winner of the December 7 polls held last week.

CHRAJ in a statement signed by the acting Commissioner, Richard Quayson, also congratulated President John Mahama for also conceding defeat in the race describing it as a sign of “maturity”.

“The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) congratulates all Ghanaians and residents, in general, for a peaceful election, and in particular Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, for emerging as the President-elect. The Commission also congratulates the out-going President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for the maturity he demonstrated after the December 7 elections by conceding and congratulating the President-elect.”

Nana Akufo-Addo polled 53.85% in the polls, while President John Mahama managed 44.4%.

The commission also called for cooperation between the two parties to ensure a smooth transition process which is currently ongoing.

“The Commission also takes cognizance of the transition processes currently underway, and urges both the out-going and in-coming administrations to work together to ensure a smooth transfer of power to the President-elect and his team as they assume the reins of power on January 7, 2017. The Commission looks forward to the same maturity being demonstrated during this transition period to make the victory that Ghana has won complete,” the statement added.

Below is the full statement:

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO GHANAIANS AND PRESIDENT-ELECT

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) congratulates all Ghanaians and residents, in general, for a peaceful election, and in particular Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, for emerging as the President-elect.

The Commission also congratulates the out-going President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for the maturity he demonstrated after the December 7 elections by conceding and congratulating the President-elect.

CHRAJ takes this opportunity to also congratulate newly elected Parliamentarians and all others who contested the elections but were not successful for accepting the election results.

Indeed, there was no loser, all of us as a nation emerged as winners, and Ghana is richer and better as a result of the collective maturity demonstrated in this election.

Ghana has, over the years, exhibited its democratic credentials and served as shining example for many countries across the globe. Though the election provided a tough test for Ghanaians to prove their mettle in terms of democracy, once again, Ghanaians passed the test with distinction, but for the few skirmishes and pockets of confrontations that greeted the announcement of the results.

It is, therefore, refreshing to note that the security agencies have stepped up efforts to arrest persons fomenting trouble and disturbing the peace currently being enjoyed. It is the hope and expectation of all that such persons would be arrested and made to face the full rigours of the law to serve as deterrence for others.

The Commission also takes cognisance of the transition processes currently underway, and urges both the out-going and in-coming administrations to work together to ensure a smooth transfer of power to the President-elect and his team as they assume the reins of power on January 7, 2017. The Commission looks forward to the same maturity being demonstrated during this transition period to make the victory that Ghana has won complete.

Once again, CHRAJ congratulates all stakeholders for working together to ensure a free, fair and transparent presidential and parliamentary election in Ghana.

May God continue to bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.

MR RICHARD QUAYSON

Ag. COMMISSIONER

source:citifmonline