The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) congratulates the people of Ghana conducting free, fair, peaceful elections. The Union is grateful to Ghanaians for showing that indeed Ghana is a success story when it comes to election in the continent of Africa. This was contained in statement signed by the president of the Union, Ishmael Tweneboa-Kodua and the Press and Information Secretary, Malik Abass Daabu. The statement said the Union is particularly grateful youth who exhibited unparalleled responsibility during the polls. “The youth have demonstrated that when it matters most we are capable of taking the right decision and not doing anything that will jeopardize the peace being enjoyed in the country”. The full statement is published below. PRESS STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF GHANA STUDENTS ON THE CONDUCT OF THE DECEMBER 7, GENERAL ELECTIONS The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) congratulates all Ghanaians for the maturity they have so far shown in the elections. That Ghanaians are a peace-loving people is not in doubt. We are once again on the verge of achieving another landmark in our nation’s history. The long queues of people, young and old, poor and rich, Muslim and Christian and all other groups that waited patiently in the scorching sun at the various polling centres are commended for contributing to make this possible. We at NUGS are particularly overjoyed at the conduct of the youth. Despite the initial concerns that the youth would be used to create chaos, things have gone fairly well. The youth have demonstrated that when it matters most we are capable of taking the right decision and not do anything that will jeopardize the peace being enjoyed in he country. We say thank you to all young people in the country for listening to our cry for peaceful elections. The Electoral Commission deserves our commendation. The Commission and its members have demonstrated that truly the African is capable of managing institutions in a manner that conforms to acceptable international standards. The largely peaceful conduct of the poll can be attributed to the transparent manner in which the Commission managed the process. That left no room for unnecessary complaints and their concomitant problems. The Union doffs its hat to Dr. Afari-Gyan and his team and expresses confidence that this will continue to be the story as far as elections in the country are concerned. Our political leaders also deserve some commendation albeit any generalization. They have so far exhibited some restraint even though the series of press conferences held were not particularly necessary. We wish to appeal to them to live by their pre-election promise of waiting for the EC to declare the results without resorting to subtle ways of claiming victory in the elections. While they have a right to be confident of winning, they must desist from raising the hopes of their supporters needlessly. This is because in the event that certified results from the EC do not support the claims of the parties, their supporters can be suspicious and may resort to acts that will not help us. NUGS also gives thumbs up to the media. Despite all the vilification and allegations of irresponsibility on the part of the media, they have demonstrated that Ghana is getting there. The media have played a tremendous role in lessening tension in the country by providing largely accurate information in a timely manner. The police have acquitted themselves well, and we are most grateful. We also thank the various political party wings, TEIN, TESCON, TESCHART and so on for putting Ghana first before their parties. Thank you to all who have contributed in diverse ways to get us where we are now. Much more is required of us lest people out there say we were celebrating too early. President Ishmael Tweneboa-Kodua 0249206660 Press and Information Secretary Malik Abass Daabu 0243150805