Mahama to lead S Leone parties to pledge peaceful polls

Former President John Dramani Mahama is expected to chair a ceremony in the Sierra Leonean capital of Freetown on Wednesday to get political parties to sign a peace pact ahead of the March 7 elections. Ghana’s former leader is in Sierra Leone at the invitation of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC). The ceremony on Wednesday is expected to have in attendance all the 16 presidential candidates. Their running mates as well as senior officials of the National Electoral Commission, Sierra Leone Police and civil-society groups are also expected to be present. Ahead of the ceremony, Mr Mahama paid a courtesy call on outgoing president, Ernest Bai Koroma, in his office on Tuesday. He was accompanied by the recently inaugurated Eminent Persons Group of Sierra Leone. Mr Mahama recalled the “esteemed friendship” with President Bai Koroma during and after his presidency of Ghana. “The PPRC invited me to interact with the political stakeholders to ensure that these elections are peaceful.” He said the winner of the elections must be Sierra Leone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZdsSXBVZ4M&feature=youtu.be President Bai Koroma admitted that elections have become part of the peace process in every democracy. He said he will make sure the various stakeholders are adequately equipped in ensuring peace. By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana Follow @kwame_amoh]]>