Former President John Kufuor has asked the people of the Ivory Coast to maintain peace in the country as they prepare for elections next month.The country goes to the polls late February or early March to elect a new president and legislators.The process has been postponed several times due to matters arising from the Ivorian civil war, difficulties with the electoral register and other preparations.Ivorian journalism body The Organization of Professional Journalists came to Accra to meet the former President and invite him to visit their country ahead of next month’s polls.The former president observed that it is important for Ivory Coast to preserve its current peace to ensure development.Former President Kufuor said although Ivory Coast has suffered numerous political unrest over the years, the country remains the richest country (per capita) in the sub-region.“That should make anybody proud within your country and that should also be the reason why everybody should try to achieve sustained and sustainable peace,” Mr Kufuor said.Former President Kufuor said the country must fight towards fostering peace which will give way to efforts to promote health, education and tourism.Play attached audio for excerpts of ex-President Kufuor’s commentsSource: Myjoyonline.com/Ghana