President urges the Church to support transparent elections in December
By Daniel NONOR, Accra
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the church in Ghana to support the upcoming general presidential and parliamentary elections, ensuring they reflect the true will of the people.
During a meeting with Apostolic Nuncio Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński at the Jubilee House in Accra hyesterday, the President emphasized Ghana’s journey to democracy, noting that the Fourth Republic has been the country’s most stable and enduring republic.
He stressed the importance of maintaining this reputation through free, fair, and credible elections on December 7th.
The President expressed his commitment to preventing any group from manipulating the electoral process, stating, “We will do everything possible to ensure the elections reflect the true will of our people and prevent any group from imposing their will on the nation.
“This is not the system of government we have chosen, and it is not one I support. We need the cooperation of the church and all citizens to achieve this.”
He underscored the nation’s status as a beacon of democracy in Africa and the importance of safeguarding this reputation.
“In December, we must ensure that Ghanaians have the opportunity to choose their president and parliament freely, without hindrance, interference, or coercion,” the President added.
In response, Apostolic Nuncio Jagodziński expressed his gratitude to President Akufo-Addo, sharing that he would be leaving Ghana with many cherished memories, considering it his second home. He pledged to strengthen the bond of friendship between Ghana and the Vatican, as well as the Catholic Church, and assured the church’s cooperation in ensuring peaceful, free, and fair elections on December 7.
Pope Francis has reassigned Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, a native of Poland who has been serving as Apostolic Nuncio in Ghana and Titular Archbishop of Limosano, to serve as his representative in South Africa and Lesotho.
The Pretoria-based Apostolic Nunciature has been under the administration of Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Msgr. Dario Paviša since February 2023, following the transfer of Archbishop Peter Brian Wells to Thailand and Cambodia after his seven-year tenure in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
