STORY: Presidential candidates sign peace pact ahead of Ghana's general elections
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 28, 2024
DATELINE: Nov. 30, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:40
LOCATION: Accra
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the arrival of former President Mahama
2. various of the participants
3. various of the signing of the peace pact
4. various of the participants
5. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA, Vice President of Ghana
6. various of the participants
7. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, Former President of Ghana
8. various of the participants
9. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JEAN MENSA, Electoral Commission of Ghana Chairperson
10. various of the participants

STORYLINE:

Presidential candidates in Ghana's general elections signed a pact late Thursday, pledging to ensure peace before, during, and after the polls.

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, former President John Dramani Mahama, and leaders of other parties signed on behalf of their parties at a ceremony in the Ghanaian capital of Accra.

Bawumia expressed commitment to working with all relevant institutions and personalities to ensure a free and fair election.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MAHAMUDU BAWUMIA, Vice President of Ghana
"My plead to everybody involved in the electioneering process, including candidates, political parties, electoral offices, voters, the media, security, and the general public, is to take responsibility for ensuring peace and harmony seriously and to demonstrate that we are not reluctant democrats. My hope and that of the NPP is that we will come out of this election stronger as a nation. We are hopeful that all sides will take some positive steps to preserve the unity, peace, and stability of this country."
   
Former president Mahama, representing the National Democratic Congress, urged all parties to align their actions with their pledges, saying that genuine efforts are essential to maintaining Ghana's reputation as a peaceful democratic nation.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA, Former President of Ghana
"It is all well and good for us to commit to peace and recite beautiful platitudes. All the efforts at building peace before, during, and after the 2024 elections would come to naught if undermined by mistrust and insincerity."
   
Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana Chairperson Jean Mensa affirmed the commission's responsibility to ensure transparency of the polls.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): JEAN MENSA, Electoral Commission of Ghana Chairperson
"At the end of the day, when the results are declared by the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Ghana should remain standing as a beacon of democracy in Africa. We each have a role to play to ensure this happens."
   
According to the commission, Ghanaians will go to the polls on Dec. 7 to elect a new president and 276 members of parliament. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Accra.
(XHTV)