The government has expressed its shock and dismay at reports of the loss of lives and wounding of unspecified numbers following the shooting of unarmed persons at a protest rally at a Sports Stadium in Conakry, Guinea, last Monday by Guinea security forces. "It is particularly distressing that the victims of the shooting were only demonstrating against moves by Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, leader of the military junta, to present himself as a candidate in a presidential election scheduled for early 2010, in spite of his own express commitment to the international community to the contrary", the government said. This was contained in a press statement signed by the Deputy Minister, Mr Chris Kpodo, and issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The Government of Ghana unreservedly condemns this unwarranted attack on unarmed citizens leading to the unfortunate death of more than 150 persons seeking to safeguard the transition to democratic rule and restore political stability and respect for the rule of law in Guinea", it said. The statement added that the Government of Ghana expressed its "deep condolences" to the bereaved families and joined the United Nations Secretary General, the African Union (AU), ECOWAS and all peace-loving people in condemning "such acts of repression, which are inimical to the development of democratic culture and the progress of thee West African sub-region." It quoted the Government of Ghana as calling on Captain Moussa Dadis Camara and members of the ruling Junta to cease all acts of repression and to respect the rights and liberties of the Guinean people. "They should honour the commitments made to the international community and desist from manipulating the transitional process leading to democratic elections in 2010", the statement said. Source: Daily Graphic