STATEMENT ISSUED BY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES WHO CONTESTED THE DECEMBER 7, 2009 ELECTIONSSee below a statement issued by the presidential candidates who contested the December 7 elections but failed to make it to the runoff.

1. We recognise the attention and audience given to us throughout the country to spread our message and promote multi-party democracy as Independent Candidate and Candidates representing political parties.
2. Our participation in the elections has strengthened our democracy and promoted the principles of freedom of association and of speech.
3. The very fact that no one Presidential Candidate obtained a 50% plus one of the valid votes cast to win on the first ballot proves the need to strengthen the ability of everyone who wants to participate in the democratic process to do so. Our participation in the December 7th elections provided a reasonable variety of alternatives to the voting public.
4. We wish to bring to the attention of the nation the need to reform the laws governing elections particularly the ones that pertain to campaign financing. It is important to seriously consider the matter of support from the state to the candidates and political parties and that of increasing transparency in the reporting of sources of funding for campaigns in Ghana.
5. We wish to put on record the need for the state broadcasting network to provide equal access to all certified candidates to sell their messages to the public without paying a fee during the critical period of campaigns and even to bring equity to the portion that is paid for.
6. We wish to ask the two parties in the runoff, the NDC and the NPP to exercise a high degree of positive campaigning between now and December 28th to avoid conflict and violence.
7. We recommend to the eventual winner and the next President of the Republic of Ghana to consider bringing greater inclusiveness to our society and do everything possible to unite our people and give opportunity to all Ghanaians in terms of jobs, contracts and other opportunities to serve the people.
8. We recommend to the eventual winner to take every step possible to honour all our past leaders to affirm the high value our people should place on public service.

Signed: